1 in 6 people (17 %) in the world with diabetes is from India. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, it is estimated that India is home to about 65 million people suffering from diabetes, out of which 97,700 are children with type-1 diabetes mellitus.
According to the National Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Survey report released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2019, the prevalence was found to be 11.8% in people over the age of 50 On International Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Foundation – Diabetes Atlas makes it clear that India needs to pause and re-evaluate its strategy to combat diabetes.
In India, type-1 diabetes is rarer than in western countries and most individuals have the myth that diabetes only occurs in adults.
The most common type of diabetes which is found in children is Type-1 diabetes.
- Type-1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes.
- In this diabetes production of insulin in the pancreas stop which leads to increase in sugar level in blood.
- In the last 30 years Type-2 diabetes has also become common among children. In this diabetes production of insulin do not stop completely but its action stops to some extent.
Causes of diabetes in children
- Obesity.
- If there is any family history of diabetes, it increases the chance of Diabetes in children by 100%.
- Lack of physical activities, laziness, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- If the weight of a child born is more than 3.5 kgs then it increases the risk of Type-2 diabetes.
- If diabetes develops during the pregnancy period then it will increase the chances of diabetes in children and possibilities are that they might be getting symptoms of it in their early 20s.
This is known as early-onset Type-2 Diabetes.
Symptoms of TYPE-1 DIABETES
- Increased thirst.
- Frequent urination, possibly bedwetting in a toilet-trained child.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Irritability or behavioral changes.
Symptoms Of TYPE-2 DIABETES
- Weight loss.
- Blurry vision.
- Darkened areas of skin.
- Fatigue.
- Increased thirst and frequent urination.
It’s high time that we make ourselves aware of such a disease and its prevalence, and take steps towards its cure. Diabetes in children is not a myth, and the sooner we know about such things, the better we would be approaching towards bettering it. Parents need to take care of their wards, their lifestyles from the very beginning and contribute equally to their health and physical fitness. Let no child be a victim of diabetes, such is the pledge we all should take.
Read:
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