Why are kids in India getting sort 2 diabetes, normally seen in adults? Tips to stop it

According to the WHO, an estimated 77 million folks above the age of 18 years are affected by diabetes (sort 2) and practically 25 million are prediabetics (at the next threat of creating diabetes in close to future) in India. We are witnessing an rising variety of circumstances of sort 2 diabetes in children, significantly amongst adolescents aged 12-18 years.

Although sort 2 diabetes has historically been extra prevalent in older adults, there was a regarding rise in its prevalence amongst kids and adolescents lately. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sajili Mehta, Senior Consultant- Pediatric Endocrinology at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital in Pune, revealed, “This is primarily due to the growing prevalence of obesity among children and young adults.”

She defined, “This rise in childhood obesity rates is largely driven by sedentary behaviour and poor dietary choices. However, genetic predisposition and ethnicity also contribute to the development of the condition. South Asians, in general, are more vulnerable to the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that characterized by insulin resistance. In such a situation, the cells in the body do not respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy production.”

To forestall sort 2 diabetes in kids, Dr Sajili Mehta instructed, “It is imperative to encourage a healthy lifestyle – eating balanced meals, limiting sugary beverages and processed foods and exercising regularly. Limiting screen time, and monitoring one’s physical health through a combination of healthy eating and physical activity are essential. Finally, it is important to create an environment that is supportive and models healthy choices, as children are more likely to embrace and sustain positive lifestyle habits when they see their loved ones adopt these practices themselves.”