Diabetes – An Unaccepted Truth Among Youngsters

Diabetes has become one of the fastest-growing non-communicable lifestyle diseases in India over the last decade. Factors such as increased disposable income and rising socio-economic status have largely contributed towards the country witnessing a huge epidemic of this disease. India currently represents 17 per cent of the world’s diabetes burden, with an estimated 72 million cases in 2017, a figure expected to almost double to 134 million by 2025. This indicates the serious health problem India is going to face in the near future and the Government’s necessity to create awareness about this disease and make anti-diabetic medications available and affordable to all the sections of people.

According to a report by Indian Council for Medical Research, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the Public Health Foundation of India, the prevalence of diabetes has increased by 64 per cent across India over the last quarter-century. With more and more prevalence of obesity among children and youngsters, this disease has become one of the common health issues reported in the past few years. Nearly 30 per cent of India’s teenagers are obese, nearly twice the number in 2010, according to health ministry statistics.

How does Diabetes affect you?

Diabetes is a condition caused due to the body’s inability to regulate sugar levels in the blood which can lead to tissue damage and organ failure. However, the younger generation is yet to understand the consequences diabetes can bring to their lives. Even though doctors and clinical institutions are trying to create awareness about the importance of good diet and exercise, the younger generation in our country is still neglecting following the precautionary measures and continues to consume junk food and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

People today consume at least 20 per cent more fat and 40 per cent of more sugar in their food compared to the dietary pattern followed six decades ago. Also, the inability to burn what they consume is another big challenge faced by them. Most of them are physically inactive and prefer to drive to their office rather than walking or cycling and get addicted to PlayStations rather than an outdoor activity. This has increased the incidence of obesity among the younger population.

Most of the people in their 20s and 30s in India are known to suffer from Type 2 Diabetes which is clearly a very young age for onset of diabetes. In most of these cases, extra bodyweight limits the ability to produce or use insulin to turn food into energy. Diabetes requires a lifetime of attention to diet and exercise and access to proper medical treatment without which people with diabetes are at risk of blindness, limb amputations, heart or kidney failure and stroke.

Negligence about their lifestyle, non-acceptance of the disease, fear of isolation from family and friends are increasing the burden of diabetes in the country. Diabetes can be controlled and reversed if proper precautions or treatment are taken at the right time. However, what is more, worrying is that this generation is not ready to consider it seriously even after raising awareness.

It is time for all the youngsters to understand and acknowledge the fact, that yummy looking extra cheeseburger, pizza and sugary drinks are pleasing to the tongue but it also raises the risk of obesity thereby, increasing diabetes. Even though consuming these excites the kids and the young adults, this may create a lifelong illness. Therefore, it is wise to take precautions at an early stage to prevent it.

Dr Satish Kumar S

Guest Author The author is Senior Consultant – Endocrinologist, Diabetologist and Bariatric Physician, BR Life SSNMC Hospital.