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SheinDress pink prom dresses )Known as juvenile diabetes as it occurs in children right from the age of 10, it is a growing concern among urban parents today, says lifestyle nutrition consultant, Tripti Gupta, adding, "Ten per cent cases of children and teenagers who are consulting me for obesity, sports nutrition, nutritional deficiencies, stunted growth and lack of stamina are also suffering from diabetes, which is getting increasingly common."According to bariatric physician and obesity consultant Dr Kiran Rukadikar, research has shown that nearly one in four urban Indian teenagers aged 12-18 years is on the verge of developing diabetes. Here's an expert guide to help you and your kid cope with this lifestyle disease:Check your kid's waistline: Obesity remains one of the main causes of this disease. While diabetes are of two kinds — Type I and Type II— more teens are prone to develop the former, which is insulin dependent. "But with bulging bellies in teenagers, the Type-2 diabetes (which was common only in adults) is now common in children and adolescents as well," says Dr Rukadikar.Adds Gupta, "Hereditary, hormonal imbalances and poor lifestyle are the leading causes of diabetes in young age. Lack of physical activity, over consumption of junk and processed food and imbalanced nutrition cause fluctuation in the hormonal levels of growing children. As a result, the insulin levels go into an imbalance causing diabetes mellitus and other related diseases."PCOD can trigger it off too: According to weight management expert Dr Amrapali Patil, PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease), which is on the rise among girls can also lead to weight gain, increasing the risks of getting diabetes. "In those suffering from PCOD, other than the ovaries having cavernous fluid filled sacs, there is a co-existing insulin resistance and propensity towards developing full blown diabetes," cautions Dr Patil.Early check up is a must: Unlike other diseases, this lifestyle disease is not easy to detect, especially at a young age. "A teenager might not show any outward symptoms. His/her diabetes gets detected accidentally during blood tests or when a physician suspects diabetes and gets such lab tests done," says Dr Patil. Adds Gupta, "It's difficult for a parent to suspect diabetes for their child, but it's important to watch out for symptoms like polyuria (frequent urination), polyphagia (excessive eating), polydipsia (excessive thirst), mood swings and irritability, itching of the genitals and sudden weight loss." Moreover, make it a habit to get a bi-annual full body check up for your kid, as soon as he/she enters the teens.Help your kid deal with it: While diabetes is not a fatal disease, it is long term and can lead to a host of other problems where diabetic teens are more prone to heart ailments, high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack and a constant fatigue. Moreover, it can take a mental toll on your kid. "Once diagnosed, a child is more likely to be depressed, feel isolated and even embarrassed about this medical situation, worrying that their mates and friends might reject them/or exclude them from the group," says Dr Patil. In such a scenario, it is important for parents to first help their kid accept the problem and be supportive instead of blaming them. "Make your kid understand that diabetes is not the end in life, and that it can be controlled by lifestyle modification," says Dr Rukadikar. If your child is genetically predisposed to diabetes, make sure that his/her friends know about this issue and they are aware of the symptoms of low sugar. "Ensure that your child drinks plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Avoid risks by discouraging body piercings and tattoos. If these are indulged in, add foods like flax seeds, onion, garlic, methi, bitter gourd etc to your teen's diet," says Dr Patil.Modify your lifestyle: Kids tend to follow their parents. So, it's important to change the lifestyle habits of the entire family. Says Gupta, "The first thing every parent needs to incorporate is enough activity and healthy eating habits among their kids. If your kid is very fond of junk food, ensure that he/she has it only once-a-week. Incorporate enough fibre and omega-3 in your kid's diet. This maintains the fat balance, which in turn controls the hormonal balance in an individual. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, cow's milk and healthy proteins should be a large part of the meal. Due to its high estrogen properties, soya can be given in moderation to growing boys. Drinking healthy cow's milk is another key factor for growing kids."Forr more information:
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