Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 3: Once known as a ‘disease of aging,’ diabetes is no longer waiting for wrinkles. A health condition that was typically associated with older adults is now showing up in classrooms, college canteens, and office cabins. Thanks to modern lifestyle changes, type 2 diabetes is rising alarmingly among teenagers and young adults—a trend once unimaginable a generation ago.

Doctors and public health experts now stress the urgent need to educate younger generations about the different types of diabetes, their causes, symptoms, and how they can be prevented or managed.

Type 1 diabetes: The sudden blackout

Often compared to a city-wide power failure, Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. With no insulin to manage glucose levels, blood sugar spikes dangerously, leading to long-term complications if untreated.
• Who is at risk?
Mostly children and young adults, although it can strike anyone. A family history of Type 1 diabetes increases the risk.
• How fast does it appear?
Suddenly. Symptoms develop quickly, leaving little room for preventive measures.
• Can it be prevented?
Not always. Insulin therapy becomes a necessity, along with healthy eating habits and regular exercise to manage the condition.

Type 2 diabetes: The gradual shutdown

Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes creeps in slowly—like lazy gatekeepers at the city’s entrance, allowing glucose to accumulate in the bloodstream. The body becomes resistant to insulin, and over time, the pancreas struggles to keep up.
• Who is at risk?
Earlier seen mostly in adults over 45, now even teens and children—especially those who are overweight or physically inactive—are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
• How fast does it appear?
It’s a slow onset, often going unnoticed for years.
• Can it be prevented?
In most cases, yes. A balanced diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight can delay or even prevent the disease. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or in some cases, insulin.

A national wake-up call

With India already dubbed the diabetes capital of the world, experts warn that this youth-focused shift is a public health emergency in the making.

“Today, we’re seeing more 20-year-olds with diabetes than 60-year-olds did a decade ago,” noted a senior diabetologist in Delhi. “The focus must now shift to early screening and lifestyle interventions among the youth.”

As the age profile of diabetes changes, so must our awareness. Healthy habits, regular health checks, and early diagnosis are key to fighting this growing threat—not just in the elderly, but now in the young as well.