Sometime last week, we marked the World Diabetes Day. The significant day was first introduced in 1991 in order to spread awareness about diabetes its causes, symptoms, prevention, treatment and the devastating effects it has on human lives.

It is very important to manage diabetes because if left untreated it can lead to several short-term and long-term illnesses. Here, we have come up with 5 effective tips to prevent diabetes in young people.

World Diabetes Day seeks to raise awareness of the impact diabetes has on the family and the person suffering from it.

It also promotes the role of the family in the management of diabetes, care, prevention and education regarding the disease. Every year World Diabetes Day has a significant theme.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2018 and 2019 is The Family and Diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body uses glucose. Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose, which comes from the foods we eat, is the primary source of energy needed to fuel the body.

To use glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But in people who are suffering from diabetes, the body either cannot make insulin or the insulin does not work in the body the way it should.

Earlier the disease only affected middle-aged and older adults. But these days, Type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in young children and teenagers. This is largely due to obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes is a disorder in which the body is not able to make enough insulin or not able to properly use the insulin to turn the glucose in food into energy.



Type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in youth

5 Effective tips to prevent diabetes in young people:
1. Physical activity:
As a young adult, you should ensure that you stay active during the day.

You should always limit the time spent in sedentary activities like watching TV, spending time on the computer, or playing video games. These activities can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Make sure that you play some sport or do some sort of physical exercise every day like running, jogging, swimming or going to the gym.

2. Cut down sugar intake:


Excessive consumption of sugar-filled foods and beverages like soft drinks, juices, sweets, doughnuts, pastries, can lead to excessive weight gain and increases the risk of diabetes in young people.

But do not eliminate these foods from your diet completely. Occasionally, you can give yourself a treat like a piece of chocolate, a slice of cake or an ice-cream.

Also, you can try making homemade desserts and sweets with less sugar or healthy alternatives to sugar.

3. Healthy diet:
Nothing beats a healthy diet. You should introduce low-fat, nutrient-rich foods like whole-grain cereals, protein, bread, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and lean proteins into your diet.

A balanced and healthy diet can help prevent excessive weight gain, which is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle at a young age is something that you'll always be grateful for. Sticking to this type of diet over time will also help in preventing some age-related diseases as you grow older.

4. Obesity:
Being overweight and obesity are the main causes of developing diabetes. Therefore, it becomes very important to keep an eye on your weight. Make sure you do not eat processed or packaged foods on a daily basis.

Also, ensure that you carry out some sort of physical exercise every day.

Regular weight checks will help you keep track of your weight and to know when you are crossing the maximum limit of your weight.

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