Doctors Warn of Rising Diabetes Among India’s Youth on World Diabetes Day

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, doctors at Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar, have expressed serious concern over the alarming increase in diabetes cases among young Indians, including teenagers and young adults.

Dr B. Sravya, Consultant Endocrinologist, and Dr Bhavani, Consultant Diabetologist, revealed that nearly 30% of current diabetes patients are young adults, with new cases emerging even among those aged 15–20 years.

They attributed this surge to unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, lack of physical activity, irregular sleep, and poor dietary habits.
“Earlier, diabetes was seen mostly in people above 40, but now we are finding it in children and young adults,” said Dr Sravya. “Almost one-third of our OPD diabetic patients are under 40.”

Dr Sravya explained that while Type-1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin, Type-2 diabetes can often be managed with lifestyle changes. She urged regular screening from age 30, especially for pregnant women, overweight individuals, and those with hypertension or high cholesterol.

Highlighting modern approaches to treatment, she said that diabetes care now focuses not just on sugar levels, but also on protecting vital organs — including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and limbs.

Dr Bhavani stressed the importance of weight management, noting that even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can significantly improve health outcomes. She advised patients to exercise daily, adhere to medications, and monitor HbA1c levels for long-term glucose control.

The doctors concluded that early detection, awareness, and consistent lifestyle management are critical to preventing India’s growing diabetes burden among the youth.