We are witnessing an increasing number of cases of type 2 diabetes in children, particularly among adolescents aged 12-18 years. Although type 2 diabetes has traditionally been more prevalent in older adults, there has been a concerning rise in its occurrence among children and adolescents in recent years. According to the WHO, an estimated 77 million people above the age of 18 years are suffering from diabetes (type 2) and nearly 25 million are prediabetics (at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future) in India. This is primarily due to the growing prevalence of obesity among children and young adults.
Dr. Sajili Mehta, Senior Consultant- Pediatric Endocrinology, Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital Pune says, “Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by insulin resistance. In such a situation, the cells in the body do not respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy production.”
