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Nearly 64% young Indians had Type I diabetes, says ICMR

About 63 % of the youth (below age of 25) in the registry had Type-I diabetes and 25.3% had Type-II diabetes.

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Results of the country's first registry on diabetes is out and it shows that a significant youth population (below the age group of 25) is suffering from Type-II diabetes and not Type-I. The study was commenced by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Type-II diabetes, which is commonly seen in the elderly, is a lifestyle disorder as compared to Type-I diabetes.

The adolescent age group getting Type-II diabetes has raised a sign of worry among the city endocrinologists as there is a fear of the productive population getting the disease related complications. The study, which was published in the latest issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, said that 63.9 % of the youth (below age of 25) in the registry had Type-I diabetes and 25.3% had Type-II diabetes. The registry is first of its kind in the country and started by the ICMR to understand the youth-onset diabetes. 

"Type-II diabetes, is on a rise. I have seen 12 to 18-year-old patients with Type-II diabetes. Earlier, the onset of diabetes at this age was linked to Type-I diabetes. It could be genetics or could be because of poor lifestyle choices," said Dr Manoj Chaddha, endocrinologist at PD Hinduja hospital and one of the authors. 

He said that the risk of Type-II diabetes is less when the patient is not genetically predisposed to the condition and maintains a healthy lifestyle. "Family history of diabetes was found be a strong predictor of youth onset diabetes especially in patients with Type-II diabetes group," said Chaddha. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in youths and adolescents. This study was conducted in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Assam, Puducherry and Chennai. 

The registry, which is its phase 3 now, has also found that south and north east of India have more youth with Type-II diabetes. Agreeing to the study results, city endocrinologists say that many youths are ignorant about their diabetes status and get to know about it only with diabetes complication. 

Dr Anil Bhoraskar, diabetologist, SL Raheja hospital said, "Yes, I have been seeing a lot of youngsters come in with Type-II diabetes. This is because of faulty diets followed by the people. It is found that a diabetic person in India goes without a diagnosis for years till the time the person gets complications related to it." He added that in order to avoid diabetes, people should exercise, follow proper diet regimes and stay away from fast food.

Doctors say many people are ignorant that they have diabetes which can be dangerous as many end up with diabetes related complication. "We are seeing a peak in Type-II in the age group of 12-25. Being a lifestyle disease, poor dietary habits combined with sedentary lifestyle is the main reason attached to it. This age group is a productive age group and therefore we need to be more concerned about it," said Dr Manoj Chawla, endocrinologist, Asian Heart Institute.

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