In the past, type 2 diabetes usually affected people post their forties. However, with drastic lifestyle changes, diabetes has become increasingly common among youngsters. With changes in dietary factors, increasing cases of obesity, and low levels of physical activity, it is not wrong to say that diabetes is currently emerging as a severe health concern worldwide.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the estimated number of people who had diabetes in India during 2019 was 77 million individuals, which is expected to rise to over 134 million by 2045. This increase in cases is a call to people at risk of contracting diabetes to make lifestyle changes so that they can slow or reverse the progress of the disease.
Two main factors can impact or increase a person's risk of Type 2 diabetes. The first is a sedentary or inactive lifestyle with very little physical activity. When coupled with a diet that is unhealthy or high in processed foods or added sugars, the chances of getting diabetes can increase substantially. This is because both these factors lead to obesity, a significant risk factor for an individual to get diabetes. In fact, for some people, losing weight may be an excellent method to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Since children and growing adults need proper growth and nutrition, early diagnosis and management are essential, especially if they have been diagnosed with diabetes at an early age. This is because when diabetes is not controlled, it can cause severe health problems, including mood changes and organ damage. Some complications of uncontrolled diabetes include frequent infection, heart and kidney problems, and diabetic ketoacidosis. It can become fatal in cases where it is not treated on time, as diabetes has also been linked to cardiac arrests and stroke.
A person who is below 18 may benefit from diabetes screening if they the following factors:
Multiple studies have proven that it is possible not just to treat but even reverse type 2 diabetes. Some of these measures include the following:
In conclusion, diabetes affects many people around the globe, with the number of people with diabetes nearly quadrupling from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, according to the World Health Organization. However, there is still hope with constant health check-ups and awareness campaigns, and it is possible to reverse these numbers and get people to live healthier and more active life.
