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Journalism of Courage
You can prevent your child from developing diabetes as an adult if you cut sugar during your pregnancy and ration it in your child’s food in their early years. A new study in the UK, that tracked 60,000 people over decades, has found that early-life rationing of sugar reduced type 2 diabetes and hypertension risk by about 35 per cent and 20 per cent and delayed disease onset by four and two years, respectively.
In-utero sugar rationing alone accounted for about one-third of risk reduction. The protective effect increased with post-natal sugar restriction, especially after six months, when infants begin eating solid foods.
Explaining the study, Dr Karunesh Kumar, paediatric gastroenterologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, says, “By rationing sugar early, parents can establish healthier dietary habits, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. We recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by natural foods like fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods rich in added sugars.”
Recent research suggests that limiting sugar consumption during the first 1,000 days of life — starting from conception to the child’s second birthday — can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. This period is critical for metabolic programming, where the body’s ability to process glucose is being laid out. Excess sugar intake during this time may lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in diabetes development. Moreover, high sugar consumption can predispose children to obesity, another major risk factor. Added sugars provide empty calories, contributing to malnutrition, obesity and dental issues without offering essential nutrients. Furthermore, high sugar intake in early years can disrupt taste preferences and build sugar-addictive behaviour in a child that lasts till adulthood. These findings show why we need to adhere to dietary guidelines during infancy and early childhood.
Children with a familial history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at an elevated risk of developing these conditions. Poor dietary choices, including high sugar intake, can exacerbate their genetic predisposition, leading to earlier onset of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. For these children, sugar rationing helps maintain stable glucose levels and reduce stress on the pancreas, which produces insulin.
The first 1,000 days are pivotal for brain development, immune system development and programming of body processes. A poor diet during this period — characterized by excessive sugar, unhealthy fats, or lack of essential nutrients—can impair brain development and increase susceptibility to infections. Additionally, poor dietary practices can programme the body for obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases later in life. So the focus must be on a balanced diet if you want to remain disease-free later.
Avoid sugary snacks, juices with added sugar, processed cereals and high-sodium packaged foods. Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while ensuring adequate protein and healthy fats.
