Alarming increase in diabetes among youths: prevention is crucial!

The number of young people suffering from diabetes has amazingly risen in the last few decades. Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented. Doctors can't even tell who will get it and who won't. On the other hand type 2 diabetes is different. Sometimes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. If you want to help keep yourself from getting type 2 diabetes or just be healthier in lots of other ways, this article is for you.

Diabetes is a devastating public health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 9.3% of the population in the world suffer from the disease, and about 1.5 million people died of diabetes in 2019. The disease has become a great concern since young people are more and more affected by type 2 diabetes, which, as opposed to type 1 diabetes, was initially considered « adults diabetes ».

The situation is explained by the increase of obesity and excess weight in youths. Youth-onset type 2 diabetes displays unique aspects such as rapid development of diabetes complications unlike in adult cases. Clinical studies have shown that the risk of death is twofold higher for those who develop type 2 diabetes under the age of 20, than it is for the general population.

As the disease continues to increase in prevalence, incidence and as a leading cause of human suffering and deaths, each youth must be cautious of his/her lifestyle.

Here are a few tips to prevent type 2 diabetes:

• Exercise regularly by walking at least 30 mins a day
• Maintain a healthy diet by eating smaller meals throughout day, rather than 3 large meals
• Maintain a healthy weight by balancing diet and exercise
• Limit screen time by reducing the amount of time you spend on your phone, tablet, computer and TV
• Adopt a regular sleep schedule
• Often visit a doctor for screening