In the United States, teenage diabetes is on the rise, posing serious challenges for adolescents and their families. As per the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020, more than 210,000 children and teenagers less than 20 years of age living with diagnosed diabetes are accounted for. Here also, though the Type 1 diabetes is more prevalent, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, majorly due to lifestyle causes. This article dwells on why teenagers are increasingly becoming diabetic—a contribution of diabetes amongst teenagers—particularly due to improper dietary and increased sugar diet.

Type 1 Diabetes: Also called juvenile diabetes, it occurs when the pancreas fails to produce insulin, which is known as a hormone that regulates the sugar inside the blood. Even though Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in people less than 20 years old with an average of about 13 years. The general treatment is lifelong insulin therapy, monitoring of blood sugar, and specific and meticulous management of diet and exercise.

Type 2 Diabetes: Once considered an adult-onset condition, Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in teenagers. This type occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas does not produce enough of it. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is closely linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits. Alarming is the fact that the annual rates of Type 2 diabetes in young people are increasing by 4.8% compared to 1.8% for Type 1 diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Warning Signs of Diabetes in Teens

Poor diet habits is the most important reason behind this increase in teenage diabetes. High sugar consumption with an inadequacy of nutrient-rich foods will create a perfect storm for insulin resistance and weight gain, two of the biggest risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

High Intake of Sugar: Today, teens are consuming too much sugar by consuming lots of sugary drinks, processed foods, and sugary cereals. These foods cause:

• Consuming excessive calories with minimal nutrients results in obesity, which is the most significant predisposing factor to Type 2 diabetes.
• Multiple severe spikes in sugar cause excessive insulin resistance as time progresses.

Nutritional Deficiency: Lack of fruits, vegetable, and grain-based diets eliminate the body's intake of several nutrients such as fiber and antioxidant, which prevent blood sugar irregularities. Irregular glucose regulation leads to causing diabetes.

Presence of early sign of diabetes "4 Ts", which are defined by experts while identifying in youngsters and teenagers makes it possible preventing complications and optimizing outcomes.

Toilets: Excessive urination or bedwetting for a while after staying dry.

Thirsty: Insatiable thirst despite the intake of fluids.

Tired: Fatigue that is constant and not energetic.

Thinner: Weight loss that has no known cause.

Hunger, irritability, blurring of vision, and, in the case of Type 1 diabetes, fruity smell in the breath. Parents must be alert to these symptoms and refer a child to a health provider when they suspect diabetes.

Also Read: Don’t Ignore The ‘Weird’ Symptoms Of Infections , They Could Mean Diabetes

Lifestyle Changes Parents Can Do To Help Teens Prevent Diabetes

Preventing Type 2 diabetes in adolescents will be multi-dimensional with diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications. Here are some steps that parents can implement:

Healthy Eating Habits

• Ban Overeating Habits: Eat meals at the table with portion-controlled plates.
• Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Replace soda and energy drinks with low-fat dairy or water.
• Introduce Nutrient-Dense Foods: Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in meals.
• Read Nutrition Labels: Select foods that are higher in fiber and lower in added sugars.

Promote Physical Activity

Physical activity should be an everyday part of the life of teenagers. At least 60 minutes of physical activity should be aimed for each day. This includes:

• Team sports such as soccer or basketball.
• Outdoor play such as bike riding or jump rope.
• Other forms of planned exercise, including yoga or dancing.

Decrease Screen Time

Time spent on screens in excess contributes to a sedentary lifestyle, which in turn increases the risk for obesity. Limit gaming, movies, etc. for recreation to two hours a day and strive for active pursuits instead.

Lead by Example

Parents play a primary role in developing their children's habit. Modeling a healthy lifestyle by eating balanced meals and staying active can inspire teenagers to do the same.

Managing Diabetes Effectively

For teenagers already diagnosed with diabetes, management is also important to avoid complications. Some of these measures include the following:

• Regular checking of blood sugar levels
• Taking prescription insulin or drugs
• Following proper diet and exercises
• Visiting healthcare providers to create specific treatment plans.

The alarming increase of diabetes in children and adolescents presents a strong rationale for raising more awareness and providing preventive measures. The root causes of this scourge are the excessive intake of sugars and bad diets but in the event that early detection leads to a life of change of lifestyle, one can still counter the trend while ensuring health protection for the following generations. A healthy diet and adequate exercise are not just preventive measures; they are investments in a lifetime of health.

Five Evidence-Based Lifestyle Habits People With Diabetes Can Use. Clin Diabetes. 2020

National Diabetes Statistics Report. CDC. 2024

Rates of new diagnosed cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the rise among children, teens. NIH. 2017

Fasting for three hours before bed can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as other chronic conditions, an Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology study suggests.

While many believe that diet plans such as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating can help reduce their weight, researchers at Northwestern University have found that not eating three hours before going to sleep can reduce overnight blood pressure by nearly four percent, heart rate by five percent and strengthen overall heart rhythms.

This can help reduce overall strain on the heart which lowers risks for conditions like hypertension and CAD. Additionally, the scientists also discovered a drop in blood sugar levels, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Participants who underwent glucose tests also showed better insulin release which tend to stabilize during the day. Additionally, an improved heart rate also lowered nighttime cortisol, which helped in metabolic balance.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine and chief of sleep medicine in the department of neurology at Feinberg and corresponding author said of the results: "It's not only how much and what you eat, but also when you eat relative to sleep that is important for the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating."

The study authors also noted: "Extending overnight fasting duration by three hours in alignment with sleep improved cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults by strengthening coordination between circadian- and sleep-regulated autonomic and metabolic activity.

"This sleep-aligned time-restricted eating approach represents a novel, accessible lifestyle intervention with promising potential for improving cardiometabolic function."

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Despite being as a common heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack. The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Treatment options may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help also prevent CAD and the conditions that can cause it.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Strokes: A Rising Crisis In India

One in seven stroke patients in India are young adults aged below 45 years, with hypertension leading as the major risk factor, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 identified hypertension, air pollution, tobacco smoking, high cholesterol, increased salt intake, and diabetes as the leading risk factors of stroke.

Incidence of stroke is increasing significantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in India, due to population growth, aging, and greater exposure to risk factors.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps a person can take to improve their health. But research suggests that women face unique challenges that make it harder to stop smoking and remain nicotine-free as compared with men.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of women in the US currently smoke cigarettes. Each year, while many attempt to quit, maintaining long term abstinence remains difficult for a large number of smokers.

Scientists say these differences are not about motivation and women are usually just as willing to quit smoking as men. In many cases they are even more likely to seek help through smoking cessation programs, counseling or medical treatment.

However, the challenge lies in a combination of biological, psychological and social factors that can make nicotine addiction behave differently in women.

Nicotine Works Differently in Women’s Bodies

One of the biggest reasons for the difference is biological as women process nicotine differently than men.

Research shows that women tend to metabolize nicotine faster. This means nicotine leaves the body more quickly, which can lead to stronger withdrawal symptoms and more frequent cravings. Jean Perriot, MD, an addiction specialist at the Émile Roux Dispensary in France, says this biological difference can affect treatment.

Even though doctors sometimes worry about giving women too much nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum, biological measurements often show that many women actually receive too little nicotine replacement, which can make treatment less effective.

Hormones also play a role in smoking behavior. Studies suggest that cravings may increase when estrogen levels are high and decrease when progesterone levels rise. These hormonal shifts occur naturally during the menstrual cycle and may influence when quitting attempts are most successful.

Stress And Emotions Can Trigger Smoking

Dr Nancy Rigotti, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital who specializes in smoking cessation for many years notes that emotional triggers such as stress or depression can strongly influence smoking behavior among women.

Social and economic pressures may also increase vulnerability to tobacco use. Historically, the tobacco industry has targeted women with marketing campaigns that connect smoking with weight control, independence or attractiveness. Public health experts say these messages can shape attitudes about smoking and reinforce addictive behaviors.

Smoking Habits And Weight Concerns

Behavioral research suggests these cues may have a stronger influence for some women, which can make quitting harder even when nicotine dependence is treated.

Furthermore, nicotine can suppress appetite, leading may to pick up smoking to manage body weight. Studies show that women are more likely than men to experience increased cravings for high sugar or high fat foods after quitting smoking. They also tend to gain slightly more weight on average which can make some women hesitant to quit or more likely to relapse.

Treatments Work Differently for Women

Research suggests nicotine replacement therapy may need to be carefully adjusted because of faster nicotine metabolism in women. Some medications used to help people quit smoking may also have different effects.

For example, studies suggest the medication varenicline may cause more side effects in women, while the drug bupropion may be somewhat less effective for female smokers.

On the other hand, behavioral treatments appear to work well for many women. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people understand and change unhealthy habits, may be slightly more effective for women than men. Women are also more likely to try complementary approaches such as meditation, yoga or hypnosis when attempting to quit smoking.

Toward More Personalized Quit Strategies

Exposure to secondhand smoke is another concern. Studies show women are often more likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke at home or in shared environments. Some research also suggests women may face higher risks of certain tobacco related diseases even at lower levels of smoking.

Understanding these differences can help doctors design better quitting strategies. Scientists say the goal is not simply to encourage people to quit smoking, but to provide the right tools so that quitting becomes more achievable for everyone.

Often called the stress hormone, cortisol is produced by your adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys. The hormone plays a critical role in keeping you healthy and maintaining your energy as well cardiovascular health.

Cortisol is a necessary tool for survival and naturally peaks in the morning to help you wake up and drop at night to help you sleep. While the body has a system in place to maintain hormone levels, issues arise when cortisol levels stay chronically high, meaning your body is constantly in "fight-or-flight" mode.

This can happen due to long-term stress, certain medical conditions (like Cushing’s Syndrome), or the prolonged use of steroid medications.

However, Dr Suman Agrawal, a renowned Oxford University certified nutritionist and qualified fitness expert has shared how "Shin-Kokyu”, a technique used by Japanese samurais before a battle exercise can help reduce cortisol by 80 percent

Step One: Box breathing method:

• Inhale for four seconds through the nose while the tongue touches the palate
• Hold for four seconds with abdominal muscle tension
• Exhale for four seconds through the mouth, lips pursed
• Pause for four seconds with complete relaxation

Place three fingers below the navel with medium force & hold throughout the breathing. There’s a cluster of vagus nerve endings there. It’s like a button in the body.

Step Three: Gaze into nowhere

Look straight ahead and defocus your gaze as if you are looking through a wall for three minutes. This time span is equal to 12 breathing cycles which is the minimum time needed to reboot the nervous system.

Symptoms Of High Cortisol Levels

• Physical Changes: Rapid weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, face (moon face) and the back of the neck (buffalo hump).
• Skin Issues: Thinning skin, easy bruising, and pink or purple stretch marks on the abdomen or thighs.
• Muscle & Bone: Weakness in the arms and thighs, muscle loss and an increased risk of bone fractures (osteoporosis).
• Metabolic Signs: High blood pressure, high blood sugar and a strong craving for sugary or fatty foods.
• Emotional & Cognitive: Persistent anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
• Sleep & Energy: Chronic fatigue, feeling tired even after a full night's sleep and insomnia.

Health Risks of Chronic High Levels

If high cortisol levels are left un-addressed for an extended period, they can lead to serious health complications, including:

• Cardiovascular Disease: Chronic hypertension and damage to blood vessels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Persistent spikes in blood sugar make it difficult for the body to manage insulin effectively.
• Suppressed Immune System: Chronic cortisol elevation can weaken immune response, making the body more susceptible to infections and slowing down wound healing.
• Mental Health Disorders: Long-term exposure is strongly linked to chronic anxiety and major depressive disorders.
• Digestive Issues: It can disrupt gut health, exacerbating conditions like IBS, bloating, and indigestion.