New Delhi, December 28: Unable to squeeze in enough physical activity
in their everyday life due to erratic work schedules, the young in India are
increasingly turning to preventive medicines to check the onset of diabetes.
Hours spent in office leave no time for physical movement. This sedentary
lifestyle leads to obesity which can directly lead to diabetes, according to
physicians.
Apart from this, Indians are genetically predisposed to the disease due to
the high insulin resistance in their bodies.
"It is to combat this early onset of diabetes that doctors are prescribing
preventive medicines like Metfomin," according to Dr S K Wangoo of the
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
The drug which is basically an insulin sensitising agent reduces the risk of
the onset of diabetes.
Dr Archana Arya, an endocrinologist working with the capital's Ganga Ram
hospital, however, feels, that the medicine is being used more than it
should be.
"The younger generation should instead focus more on losing weight and
making a changeover in their lifestyles," she told PTI.
This stands true specially for children as they should be getting more
outdoor time than at present.
"The focus should be on controlling the weight rather than depending on
medicines, specially amongst children," Arya added.
The type of diabetes afflicting the younger generation is mostly type-II
diabetes which is a direct result of the rapid changes in lifestyle among
Indians.
Ordering food from outside has become a trend. Eating junk food and
irregular meal time is not good for the body.
There is not enough nutrition that is supplied to the body except the extra
fats that are hard to burn, the doctors say.
Dining at fancy restaurants and fast food joints too has contributed largely
to the growing waistlines of urban citizens with lavish spending power.
Regular alcohol consumption and smoking increase the pressure on the body,
and worsen diabetes-related problems.
"The urban lifestyle, if not modified, can lead to serious healths risks.
Diabetes is a grave health problem that can lead to further complications
like cardiovascular diseases, renal failure and even blindness," she said.
According to the National Family Health Survey for 2006, more than two per
cent of men and women between 35-49 years of age suffer from diabetes in the
country.
The prevalence of the disease increases with age and household wealth
status.
Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has repeatedly asked for emphasis on
combating the new killer disease.
