Students to learn and spread awareness

In view of the rising number of diabetes cases among the young, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has decided to spread awareness among school and college students ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.

The theme this year is ‘Protect your future’ and the Federation’s representatives in Mumbai will get in touch with schools and colleges on educating children about the necessity of following a healthy diet and exercising regularly to keep diabetes at bay.

Professor Jean Claude Mhbanya, president of IDF, who is in India to organise awareness programmes said, "Eating junk food and a sedentary lifestyle has led to a rise in the population with diabetes."

Emphasising the importance of a healthy lifestyle, Dr Shashank Joshi, a consultant endocrinologist from Lilavati hospital said, "These days the number of adolescents with type II diabetes is on a rise. Earlier, type II diabetes was found only in adults."

Dr Anil Bhoraskar, a diabetologist of SL Raheja Hospital said information about diabetes has to be imparted at the right age."Children can make a big change as parents listen to them. We are planning to hold sessions with school canteens to stop serving junk food," he said.