Cull The Cravings

We often find ourselves bribing our children with sweets and chocolates. But is it doing any good to their health? We tell you the truth.

- Afaaf Shaikh

We all know the reason and the process behind diabetes mellitus. It is a condition that arises when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot use the insulin effectively. In type 1 diabetes the pancreas cannot produce insulin. This lifestyle disease is commonly witnessed in every age group but occurs frequently in children or young adults.

DO TEENS GET DIABETES?

Earlier, type 2 diabetes was most commonly diagnosed in older adults but recently is increasingly seen in children, adolescents and younger adults due to rising levels of obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet. Also, diabetes can happen due to a genetic mutation which is known as Monogenic Diabetes or Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY). However, there is no fixed age when diabetes can start.

Diabetes always will not be due to a faulty diet or lifestyle related issues; it can be due to family history as well. Still, there are certain stated factors that can lead to diabetes like being overweight/obese, insulin resistance, PCOD, family history of diabetes etc. Other risk factors include family history, female gender, unhealthy eating habits and low or no physical activity. Insulin resistance is a major point of concern for the diabetic people. The biggest cause of this insulin resistance is being overweight, especially in the midsection.

PUBERTY AND DIABETES

Puberty is a very crucial phase in a child’s life. Children go through a lot of emotions during this phase which affects their health, eating patterns, sleeping pattern, lifestyle etc. It is a roller coaster of changes for them, be it psychological, physical or emotional. Some factors which are especially witnessed during puberty and can cause diabetes in future are hormonal changes, irregular eating patterns etc.

Hormones