Childhood over-weight and obesity has both immediate and long term health concerns. Increasingly, young people are being diagnosed with an alarming range of health conditions. Half of these are adolescent and are suffering with overweight diseases and obesity. As per a recent survey conducted by National Institute of Nutrition 16-17% of kids in Hyderabad are obese and at-least 80% of these kids will grow up to become obese men and women. In additional, an alarming surge of type 2 diabetes cases is a concern in children with obesity this season. By the onset of the New-Year 2018, as per the predictions, every one in five children will be encountered with Type 2 diabetes in Hyderabad.
As mentioned by Dr K S Lakshmi, Sr Consultant - Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, "Hyderabad is emerging as one among fastest growing cities with alarming no. of obese cases in India. At-least 23-25% of adults in Hyderabad are suffering with obesity and likely to get effected with diabetes at a later stage. The food we eat is turned into glucose so our bodies can use it for energy. When you have diabetes, glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into the cells in your body. If blood glucose stays high for too long there are chances of it damaging your eyes, kidneys and nerves. The higher risk groups are the one with family history obesity and any person who do not participate much in physical activities. They are also prone to High Blood Pressure, Heart Disorders, Liver Diseases, Sleep apnea, Joint problems, Asthma, Fatigue, Colon Cancer and other psychological disorders and low self-esteem, depression, poor social skills etc.”
“Sedentary lifestyle, addiction towards Junk foods, decline towards home-cooked foods, alcohol, drugs and peer pressure at school and collage are few factors influencing obesity in adolescent youth in the city,” she said.
Is your child overweight or obese? Take steps to lower the chances. Small changes can make a big difference. Even a small amount of weight loss can help in preventing Type 2 Diabetes.
Start by separating your child from gadgets and indulge them more in physical activities and also make a healthy food choice for them.
Take an action to stay healthy:
· Physical Activities Everyday: -Children and teens should involve at least 60 minutes of physical activities a day. Keep TV or computer times to 2 hours or less every day. Involve your child in extra-curricular activities like dance, sports etc. and implicate family members to get fit with them. Going for a walk and taking the stairs instead of an elevator.
· Healthy Diet Everyday:-Limit all the sweetened drinks and eating more of fruits and vegetables. Avoid the junk food and prepare healthy snack food for your child. When it comes to fast food, make healthier choices such as salads, grilled, broiled or low-fat food.
The growing number of obese children and adolescents affected by type 2 diabetes and the rapid development of glucose homeostasis deregulation in this age group explain why type 2 diabetes is becoming one of the most important public health concerns. Identifying obese children at risk for type 2 diabetes is of primary importance in order to interrupt its progression and the diabetes-related cardiovascular complications in this age group. Children and teens with type 2 diabetes often feel no symptoms. However, if your child is noticed with any of below mentioned symptoms, consult a physician immediately.
1. Increased thirst and frequent urination: - Excess sugar building can pull off fluid from tissues. As a result your child might be consuming water to often and urinate more than usual.
2. Weight Loss: - Weight loss is less common in children with type 2 diabetes than in children with type 1 diabetes. Muscle tissues and fat stores shrink without the energy of sugar supplies.
3. Blur Vision: - The child might be unable to focus clearly if the blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of the child eyes.
4. Unusual Fatigue: - Lack of sugar in your child’s cell might make him or her tire and lethargic.
5. Slow-healing or frequent infections: - Type 2 diabetes affects the child’s ability to heal and resist infections.
“Regular activity, Consumption of Pulses, Millets, Flake seeds, Barley etc will keep our heart healthy. Severe obesity is the most dangerous stages of obesity. It may suddenly give rise to heart, brain, and gastro related disorders which may be life threatening.” says Dr K S Lakshmi.
Written by:
Dr K.S. Lakshmi, Sr Consultant - Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery
Gleneagles Global Hospitals.
