Common in elderly, PGI sees rise in Type 2 diabetes among youth

“We are now seeing Type-2 diabetes even in children who are as young as 10 to 12. The lifestyle we follow — the junk food children consume and the decline in physical activity — is directly contributing to this early onset. If we look at the last ten years, the disease profile has completely changed. Seeing diabetes in the 30 to 40 age bracket has now become very common,” he said.

World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14 each year. The day was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to raise awareness focusing on diabetes. The WHO’s theme for this year is ‘Diabetes and Well-being’, implying that patients need to maintain a connection between physical and mental health for a healthier life.

Highlighting that the patient load is increasing significantly, Sanjay Bhadada, Head of Endocrinology (PGI), said, “Every week, around 1,200 patients are registered in the endocrine clinic alone, and 10 per cent are new patients.” Almost 10 to 15 per cent of the entire PGI OPD is ours, he said.

Bhadada said the institute is planning to organise a patient education session every month to address the rising burden and to improve awareness.

Chandigarh Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Registry’s second report, which was released recently, highlighted that between July 2018 and December 2021, at least 54 young adults aged 18 to 40 were newly diagnosed with diabetes in the city.

Doctors emphasise that diabetes can be prevented with consistent lifestyle changes. They recommend at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, and brisk walking, covering one kilometre in about eight minutes, is a simple yet effective routine. “If one follows even this basic level of activity daily, the risk of obesity and diabetes can be significantly reduced. Once diagnosed, diabetes becomes a lifelong condition requiring medication, and early-onset diabetes affects multiple organs as age progresses. Limiting fast food, maintaining ideal body weight , and regular monitoring are crucial,” said Prof. Bhadada.

Dr Ravul Jindal, Vascular Surgery Director (Fortis Hospital Mohali), explains that diabetes is a disease wherein blood glucose (sugar) is too high as the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot process it properly. Insulin is needed to move glucose from the blood into the cells.

“The disease mainly affects people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years, with uncontrolled sugar levels, with associated high blood pressure and smoking histories. Diabetes can cause complications such as stroke, diabetic foot, blindness, limb amputation, heart attack, kidney failure, Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and even early death.”

Dr Jindal said a diabetic person will experience increased thirst and urination, especially at night, with an increase in appetite. Blurry vision and constant fatigue are also common symptoms. Sores may take a long time to heal owing to poor blood circulation.

He said physical activity helps lower the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 per cent and keep body weight under check. A balanced diet with minerals, carbohydrates, protein, fibre and healthy fats, and reducing intake of sugar, saturated fats and processed meats is also an important step. One should also quit tobacco consumption and manage stress, he suggested.

What was once a disease seen mostly after 50 years of age has now become increasingly common among younger populations. Witnessing a disturbing shift, health experts say it is a warning signal that calls for urgent lifestyle interventions, routine screening and early diagnosis.