On December 20th 2006 The General Assembly of the United Nations pass what can be describe as a landmark resolution when they recognized diabetes as a chronic debilitating and costly disease.

Although World Diabetes Day was previously celebrated on November 14 each year the resolution made it an officially designated United Nations Day beginning 2007 and every year following.

For 2007 the theme is Diabetes in Children and Adolescents. The aim is to ensure that persons are well aware of diabetes and know where to access any help they may need.

To mark the first World Diabetes Day recognized by the United Nations various activities took place around the globe, the color blue which is used by diabetes organizations, is also the United Nations color.

The diabetes pin is a blue circle, the circle use symbolizes life and health across cultures. The blue reflects the sky that unites all nations. The circle shows the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic. Diabetics their loved ones and supporters can show support by wearing the Unite for Diabetes pin.

This year's theme Diabetes in Children and Adolescents was an attempt to alert parents, caregivers, medical personnel, and educators to consider diabetes as a possibility when children have puzzling symptoms.

In addition the theme also seeks to encourage persons not only to be on the look out for type 1 but that there needs to be an increase awareness of children and adolescents developing type 2 diabetes.

The theme also promotes healthy lifestyles, good nutrition and frequent exercise to help in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. It brings into sharp focus that in some developing countries, children die from diabetes complications because insulin, other medications and health care are not readily available.

Despite this not being applicable to developed countries where parents can access health care, it should be noted that symptoms can be ignored or mistaken leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

High blood glucose levels, excessive thirst, very frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, vomiting, dizziness and rapid weight loss are all signs that should be taken seriously at any age and medical advice sought.

Diabetes has a unique impact on children and there families, the need to monitor blood glucose levels and take medication can seriously disrupt the normal daily activities of children.

This condition can interfere with the normal development functions of children and adolescents such as school and transitioning to adulthood. It is therefore important to raise the level of education and awareness if families and children are to cope with this disease.

It is also important to raise awareness and education so that early diagnosis and good management can be achieved. With this intervention from the United Nations it is hope that health care professionals, educators, parents and guardians will join forces to assist children and adolescents living with diabetes.