Home / Health / Diabetes Strikes Young in Assam: Early Action Urged
Diabetes Strikes Young in Assam: Early Action Urged
13 Nov
Summary
- Diabetes increasingly affects children and adolescents under 18 in Assam.
- Lifestyle factors like obesity, poor diet, and screen time are key risks.
- Doctors report a 30-40% rise in diabetes patients at GMCH.
An increasing number of children and adolescents in Assam are being diagnosed with diabetes, with some cases emerging even before the age of 10. This worrying trend highlights the growing impact of modern lifestyles on young people's health.
Doctors point to factors such as reduced physical activity, escalating abdominal obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, and prolonged screen time as significant contributors to the rise in Type 2 diabetes among this age group. These lifestyle changes are replacing traditional outdoor play and home-cooked meals with sedentary entertainment and processed foods.
Specialists note that abdominal obesity is a key risk factor, often developing without individuals appearing visibly overweight. The surge in diabetes has led to a notable increase in patient consultations and hospital admissions at facilities like Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), with a reported 30-40% rise in patient inflow.
Delayed diagnosis and poor blood sugar control can lead to severe health issues later in life, including diabetic foot ulcers and kidney disease, as observed by medical professionals in Guwahati. Early intervention and preventive measures during childhood and adolescence are therefore crucial to mitigate these risks and improve long-term health outcomes.
