The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is dramatically increasing all over the world so, it is in India. This increase has also affected our young squad. Over the last decade, the rise in the number of children and young adults with type2 diabetes has become an “Epidemic”. The main reason behind this rise in children and young adults is childhood obesity. Obesity causes insulin resistance that ultimately leads to type2 diabetes. The most common causes of childhood obesity are a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits.
Complications
The onset of type 2 diabetes at an early age is associated with longer disease exposure and increased risk of chronic complications like hypertension, a polycystic ovarian syndrome in females, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia. Early-onset of diabetes affects other aspects of life like working age, increased cost of disease management, poor quality of life.
Prevention OR Reversal
Early diagnosis of diabetes may prevent or slow down the development of complications if the proper treatment plan is implemented at an early stage. As children may have no symptoms of type 2 diabetes but obesity can be one of the triggering events. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, it is reversible if diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Over 50% of diabetes in young adults is reversible if detected early, and managed properly with lifestyle modifications including diet counseling and exercise.
Strategies to Control this Epidemic
Despite its increasing incidence and prevalence, little is known about the effective treatment strategies, the role of physical activity and nutrition. As diabetes is accompanied by other problems like dyslipidemia, PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease), high sugars, good nutrition counseling, and physical activity plan is an important key to combat all these. Apart from nutrition and exercise counseling, there might be a need for pharmacological intervention as well.
To reduce weight, physical activity is very important parents and teachers should ensure this in-home as well as in school. Diabetes occurs mostly in children or young adults who are inactive or leading a sedentary lifestyle. The rise in the use of mobile phones, computers and watching TV in place of outdoor activities have contributed to this epidemic. It is almost important to reduce the screen time of your children.
Nutrition counseling needs to be done at home and at school. Incorporate good eating habits in children from early age. Parents should avoid packaged food or junk food for their children as much as possible, as junk food is loaded with calories and fat that contributes to obesity. Make them eat local seasonal fruits and vegetables, give more home-cooked food. Portion control is the key to ensure weight loss in obese children.
We are in the middle of this Epidemic “Diabetes”. We all have an important role to help each other, to put an end to the rise of diabetes in children.
Check out Available Glucometer in our Store
About the Author
ACODE (Apollo Centre For Obesity, Diabetes & Endocrinology)
Diabetes Educators: Viveka Kaul, Megha Gupta, Anupriya
Thanks for sharing the information