Rise of type 2 diabetes in youngsters a worry

Rise of type 2 diabetes in youngsters a worry

There is growing concern among city diabetologists about the rising number of adolescents being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In a 12-year-long study conducted in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, doctors found that more and more people between the ages of 12 and 25 are detected with type 2 diabetes (which is lifestyle-related) than with type 1 (juvenile diabetes). “We are seeing a peak in type 2 diabetes in the 12-25 age group. Being a lifestyle-related disease, it is mainly caused due to poor dietary habits, combined with a sedentary lifestyle,” said Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist at Lilavati hospital, who conducted the study in Mumbai. The study found that 76% of those suffering from type 2 had at least one family member with diabetes, showing that it tends to run in families. Doctors say many people are ignorant about the fact that they have diabetes. “People between 12-25 belong to the productive age group, and therefore, we need to be more concerned. It is found that a diabetic person in India often goes undiagnosed for years till the time the person starts suffering from diabetes-related complications,” added Dr Joshi. The study also revealed that 31% of these diabetes patients suffer from hypertension, while 38% have high blood cholesterol levels. “We also found evidence of androgen excess in 52% of female diabetics suffering from type 2,” added Dr Joshi. Diabetes, if left untreated and uncontrolled, leads to complications like kidney failure or nerve damage in the feet, say doctors. Dr Tushar Rege, consultant diabetic foot surgeon at SL Raheja Hospital, said, “Many of my patients did not follow a proper treatment and regime, and got diabetic foot neuropathy. In some cases, we have had to amputate legs too.”