The Hindu

• The disease is strongly linked to obesity and lack of exercise 
• A large majority of children and adolescents have been found to have the Type 2 form of diabetes
• Heavy intake of unhealthy food is one of the causes for obesity
• Regular meals and an active lifestyle can help reduce and prevent diabetes
• Doctors advise obese teenagers not to starve

Bangalore, Jun 27: Lakhs of young people under the age of 20 have diabetes, and the obesity rate among children continues to grow. Diabetes, a disease that is usually found in adults over the age of 40, is becoming more common among youngsters.

A large majority of children and adolescents have been found to have the Type 2 form of the disease, which is strongly linked to obesity and lack of exercise.

In most of the cases, youngsters suffer from diabetes due to obesity, according to doctors.

Junk food

Obesity is directly related to the heavy consumption of unhealthy food along with meals taken at irregular intervals. Junk food and a bottle of a fizzy drink is what most youngsters have as a meal every day.

This not only makes them obese but also leads to a variety of problems like psychosocial disturbances, hypertension and respiratory dysfunction.

Having meals at a regular time coupled with an active lifestyle can help reduce and prevent diabetes.

Attention to sports

Many schools now pay less attention to sports than they used to. It may be difficult detect Type 2 diabetes among children because there are usually no symptoms or they are very mild leading to under diagnosis.

Prateek Mathur, children's specialist, says, "Some teenagers suffering from obesity tend to starve themselves thinking of their poor body image. They cannot afford to starve and it is very important for them to have a balanced diet."

"Children as young as three years can have diabetes. The symptoms can range from prolonged fever to more serious complications," he says.

Risk

Studies and surveys show that anyone at a high risk of getting diabetes can prevent and even delay the onset of the disease. Though ethnicity, gender and family history are some of the factors that cannot be altered, by regulating the eating habits and physical activity one can overcome the consequences.