Your teenager is engrossed in Instagram, eating a hamburger and most likely has not run a mile since they were in tenth grade; now they ask you if they can skip the doctor because they feel fine. Sound similar? The harsh reality is that their feeling fine could be masking something very serious. Type 2 diabetes is rapidly affecting our teenagers in India at an alarming rate. 

The Numbers That Should Make You Sit Up and Pay Attention 

Let’s get to the point. Out of all young people aged 15-24 in India, one in four has Type 2 diabetes. In 15 years, this has increased by almost double. In 2002, only 9/100000 million people aged 15-24 were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes each year; in 2018, this had risen to 18/100000 million. 

It is also happening in small towns. A study conducted throughout all of India showed that diabetes is rampant amongst Indian youth, even in areas where regular checkups for young people are not recommended. It is estimated that there are already more than 77 million people in India aged 18+ who have diabetes, and another roughly 25 million have prediabetes, and the reality is that over half of all these people do not know they are diabetic. 

The Burger and Cola Generation 

Do you remember when your parents said not to eat junk food? Well, they weren’t only saying that because they were being dramatic or exaggerating. Gen Z is living in a food environment specifically designed to make it more difficult for them to be healthy. Fast food is easily obtainable and available. Processed/packaged foods fill the majority of kitchens, portion sizes have increased, and more than half of youths living in India consume sugary beverages on a daily basis. This burger and cola culture contributes to caloric intake in addition to promoting obesity and insulin resistance. 

Abdominal obesity is the number one food-related killer for youth. A recent study shows that about 25-30 per cent of youths in India have unnecessary fat around their midsection. This excess belly fat not only looks unattractive, it also prevents insulin from doing its job properly. 

The Couch Potato Syndrome 

Physical activity? For the majority of Indian youth, they haven’t done that since they finished high school sports. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 72 per cent of all youths in India do not get enough physical activity. They are either sitting at a computer studying, doing homework at a desk, using a computer for leisure, or just gaming on the couch. Movement has become an elective.

Genetics is also playing a significant role in determining the risk for youth of developing insulin resistance. Indians as a race are much more predisposed to develop insulin resistance compared to the rest of the world due to genetic predisposition. If you have a family member who has diabetes, then the odds of your teenager developing diabetes increase. This is not destiny, but it is definitely a disadvantage from the starting line. 

The Hidden Stressors 

Anxiety is commonplace, and our ability to sleep has been affected. Mental well-being continues to deteriorate, and poor eating habits due to stress, combined with no exercise, have resulted in an alarming trend amongst teenagers who often skip a meal only to indulge in junk food later. Teenagers are also stressed from classes, friends or family and even their unknown future, and are feeling the repercussions on their bodies. 

The Hidden Assault of Air Pollution on a Global Scale 

Long-term exposure to air pollution in our cities affects the body’s ability to respond to insulin. Insulin is used to control your blood sugar levels, and when this happens, it leads to a significant reduction in your ability to control your body’s blood sugar level. Lack of nutrition, air pollution, urban communities and lifestyle changes influenced predominantly by North American culture have resulted in the development of behaviours we have not been designed for through evolution.

The False Truth: I’m Too Young to Get Diabetes 

The belief that being too young to develop Type 2 diabetes is possibly the most lethal belief in your teenager’s life. Not only has Type 2 diabetes become possible, but it has also become a normal part of children’s and young adults’ worlds. There is a direct correlation between the increase in obesity among youth and the increase in diabetes among youth. 

Ignoring the consequences could potentially lead to serious medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, vision issues, nerve damage and foot problems. These problems are not old-aged problems; they are currently happening to children and young adults. 

Here are the three main points that families should focus on to prevent Type 2 diabetes. 

Moving is key: Your tenager does not have to run a marathon every day to be physically active. Three days a week of at least thirty minutes of reasonably strenuous activity, such as walking, dancing, cycling and even hard work inside the house, will improve their health immensely. 

Food quality is important: Your teenager should avoid drinking sugary beverages and eating processed foods. Instead, they should consume more whole grain products, vegetables, and protein from low-fat sources. They should also be encouraged to eat smaler portions and to eat slowly. 

Screen Early and Often: If you or anyone in your family has a history of diabetes, then get your child tested now, even if they have no symptoms. Getting tested early/going for a screen can help NPR healthy for years to come. 

Sleep and Stress Matter: Your child needs to be getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Discussing and addressing their stress will be important for helping to prevent any future health issues. 

The Bottom Line: Your Family’s Future 

Diabetes is not only a medical condition, it is also a lifestyle crisis affecting today’s generation more than any other. Indian youth are at a rising risk of developing diabetes as a rersult of genetic factors, a shift in lifestyle, environmental changes and gaps in access to healthcare. The power to prevent these rising numbers is in what you and your child can control. 

Your 18 year old is not too young to have diabetes; he or she is at risk of developing this disease right now! Your daily decisions regarding your food choices, the amount of physical activity you include in your daily life and whether you have your child tested for diabetes can affect their health 60 years from now. 

Don’t be complacent about symptoms or make any assumptions regarding whether or not it will occur. There are specific statistics regarding both the risk factors and causes of the condition and there is an abundance of literature about how to avoid this debilitating disease. 

Your teen’s future health is dependent upon your behaviour as a parent today. Today is not next week or whenever they reach something termed adult. 

Diabetes cannot take physical wellness away from our children, so we must take proactive steps to make sure it will not happen in our children. 

Don’t let another day pass by worrying about the health of your child. Take charge of your teenager’s health and do so with confidence. Daktar.online provides help in making appointments with physicians quickly and without pain, no more standing in long lines at their office. With Daktar.online, you have fast and secure access to experienced professionals who can assist you in diagnosing and preventing diabetes.

Book Doctor at Whatsapp!

Start Your Plan of Action Today! Don’t allow yourself to be fooled into believing that you can wait until you see symptoms. The statistics are indisputable, the dangers are numerous, and the remedies are obtainable. 

Now Book Doctor’s Appointment Online Easily at Daktar.online!!!