Incidence of diabetes growing among teenagers, says report

Incidence of diabetes growing among teenagers, says report

Pune: Diabetes, one of the most prevalent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), has become a major health concern in all age groups. The recently released ‘Diabetes Abnormality Report’ by Indus Health Plus, a leader in preventive health care, revealed an increase in the incidence of diabetes among teenagers. November 14 is observed as World Diabetes Day.

The report, with observations from September 2017 to August 2018, stated that 29 per cent of people had sugar levels above the normal range in Maharashtra.

In all, 49,794 people were included in the report from Maharashtra. From Pune, there were 12,182 while 13,706 participants from Mumbai were monitored during the time period. Type 2 diabetes, which is caused due to a sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits, is hitting Indians at a much younger age group of 18 to 30 years.

According to the report, in the cities with a high working population such as Mumbai and Pune, there were 17 per cent people with abnormal blood sugar levels.

In Pune, there were 10 per cent female population below the age of 20 years with borderline blood sugar while 10 per cent females with abnormal blood sugar, which is an alarming number. 

Similarly, in Mumbai, five per cent female population below the age of 20 years had a borderline blood sugar level while six per cent females had abnormal blood sugar level. 

In Pune, five per cent women from all age groups were on borderline while six per cent had abnormal blood sugar levels. 

Also, in Mumbai, five per cent women from all age groups were reported to be in the borderline and seven per cent with abnormal blood sugar levels.

Doctors said diabetes as a disease poses more risks for women than men. Stress, sedentary lifestyle and obesity can be the reasons behind an increase in the diabetes cases in women.
 
Also, women tend to focus more on their family’s health and dedicated less time for their own well being. Therefore, many of them don’t get screened and thereby don’t get medicated on time.

Amol Naikawadi, Joint Managing Director at Indus Health Plus, said the increasing number of diabetics in the younger population shows that there’s no ‘safe age’ zone for the 
condition.

“Juvenile diabetics should get proper care and serious treatment plan. Parents should make sure they consult a diabetologist or their physician regularly. Those who have sugar levels on the borderline don’t need medication but they can avoid it by making lifestyle changes, exercising daily, consuming a healthy diet, getting themselves screened regularly irrespective of their age,” said Naikawadi.

He added that multiple conditions arise out of diabetes. Hence, it is advisable to modify lifestyle and keep sugar levels in control.

“Some conditions that can lead to severe complications are amputation, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease. That’s why it is essential to make a timely diagnosis and have right care,” emphasised Naikawadi.

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