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

Heart diseases are one of the most common issues people face in the world. Despite being the leading cause of death globally, according to the world health organization, many people miss critical signs of it. The best way to ensure a person gets treatment, is that the disease must be diagnosed in its early stages. A new study suggests diagnosing the risk of heart disease early is also possible, with the help of eye scans.

Researchers at McMaster University and the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) have made an incredible discovery. They found that the tiny blood vessels in your eyes could be a powerful way to guess how likely you are to develop heart disease and how fast your body is truly aging on the inside. This is a big deal because right now, checking for these risks involves many complicated tests.

The study, which was published in the journal Science Advances, suggests that soon, doctors might be able to use a simple scan of your retina, which is the back of your eye, as a quick and non-invasive tool. This scan could show them the overall health of your blood circulation and reveal your body’s real biological age. This new method could open up amazing possibilities for catching serious health issues much earlier.

Can You Diagnose Heart Diseases From Eye Scan?

The study was massive, involving over 74,000 people from large international research groups. The scientists analyzed their retinal images, genetic makeup, and blood data.

Their key discovery was striking, people whose blood vessels in the retina were simpler and looked less branched (not as tree-like) were found to be at a higher risk for heart problems. These same people also showed clear signs of faster biological aging, meaning they had more inflammation in their bodies and a potentially shorter life expectancy.

Dr. Marie Pigeyre, one of the main researchers on the study, explains that the eye is unique. It gives doctors a special, clear, and easy way to look at your entire circulatory system—all the veins and arteries that carry blood throughout your body.

Mirroring the Body

Think of the eye's small blood vessels like a mirror. Changes happening in these vessels reflect the same changes happening in the small blood vessels everywhere else in your body. If the vessels in your eye look unhealthy, chances are, the vessels around your heart and brain are also struggling.

Molecular Clues

The team didn't just look at pictures. By combining the retinal scans with genetic information and blood test results, they were able to uncover specific "molecular pathways." These are basically the biological rules or processes that explain exactly how aging causes problems in your blood vessel system.

Can You Cure Genetic Heart Diseases?

The researchers went beyond just finding a link; they used the blood and genetic data to hunt for the root causes of these eye vessel changes. This led them to pinpoint specific proteins that appear to be the main drivers of both aging and disease.

They identified two major proteins: MMP12 and IgG–Fc receptor IIb. Both of these are strongly linked to inflammation and the deterioration of blood vessels as we age.

Dr. Pigeyre is excited because these specific proteins could become targets for new drugs. Medicines designed to control or slow down these proteins could help reduce the impact of vascular aging, lower the risk of heart disease, and ultimately help people live longer and healthier lives.

Right now, to check for serious age-related diseases like heart disease, stroke, and memory problems (dementia), doctors have to perform many different tests. The big hope is that a quick, simple retinal scan could one day become an easy-to-access tool to immediately check a person's risk for heart problems and determine their biological age.

It is not uncommon for women’s health concerns to be overlooked even by professionals. Often chalking up their health issues as, ‘common women ailments’, many healthcare professionals, miss the core reason for women’s symptoms. In a recent video, Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS Surgeon, shared a video, explaining how often, even signs of chronic illnesses can get overlooked as just ‘anxiety’.

So, is there no way a person can ensure they have the right diagnosis? In the video Dr Karan listed a few ways one can ensure they have the right diagnosis, from asking the right questions and how to proficiently communicate your symptoms to the doctor.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?

If your doctor told you that your health problems are "just anxiety," remember that you have the right to push for a more thorough checkup. One should ask the right questions as it is their health on the line. Being ready shows you're serious and ensures your doctor looks into your condition properly.

Dr. Karan explains that when talking to your doctor, you should ask questions that make them explain why they settled on an anxiety diagnosis. This shifts the focus back to the doctor, requiring them to justify their medical opinion. Here are the key questions you should use.

"What tests have been done to rule out other causes of my symptoms?"

This question is powerful because it makes the doctor list exactly what they have investigated. It clarifies the boundaries of the investigation. If the doctor hasn't run many tests, you know there's more ground to cover.

"Can you explain why you think this is anxiety and not a physical medical condition?"

Don't accept "your blood work is fine" as the only answer. That's often not enough. Many serious health conditions don't show up on a routine blood test. You want a detailed explanation of their thinking, not just a quick dismissal.

"Have we ruled out other conditions that can look exactly like anxiety?"

It's surprising how many physical illnesses have symptoms that are identical to anxiety. Dr Karan explains how thyroid problems like hypothyroidism, issues with your nervous system like dysautonomia, or even an immune disorder like mast cell activation syndrome, can all cause symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness, or panic. You want to be sure these possibilities have been considered.

Is It Anxiety Or A Health Condition?

If your doctor only suggests things like talk therapy and certain medications (like SSRIs), be prepared to ask for more. You need to know if they're looking at the big picture.

Dr Karan suggests that you should ask them: "What treatment plan would you suggest that goes beyond just treating the anxiety itself?"

If their only answer is medication and counseling, it's fair to ask what other medical routes or specialists can be explored to find the root cause of your symptoms.

How Should You Describe Your Symptoms?

When describing your symptoms, you need to be precise and give the doctor hard data. This makes it much harder for them to brush off your concerns as simple stress. Dr Karan gives an example, instead of just saying, "I get dizzy a lot," get into the details:

"I get dizzy when I stand up, especially in the morning. It's worse after eating or after I’ve been sitting for a long period of time."

This kind of specific detail is very important. Symptoms that happen when you stand up and improve when you lie down could point to a physical problem like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), not just everyday anxiety.

The clearer and more factual you are, the less likely they are to dismiss your condition as just "generalized stress." Dr. Rajan emphasizes that "data talks." Start keeping a symptom diary right away! It's an essential tool for tracking your condition every day. In your log, record:

The exact time symptoms happened.

What you ate or drank beforehand.

What made the symptoms better or worse.

Look for patterns. Does the dizziness only happen after you stand up? Do your symptoms worsen after a certain meal, or around your sleep schedule, or with hormonal changes? Bringing this detailed log, to your appointment makes it much, much more difficult for any doctor to doubt or dismiss your concerns.

With Delhi winters coming in, the spell of late smog is most likely to stay not just outside the homes, but it could in fact, follow you inside your homes. A study by the University of Delhi's Satyawati College, Jamia Millia Islamia, and US's South Dakota University, reveal that bacterial levels were recorded to be 10 fold higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended safety limits.

Studies have also found that air inside the city homes have 12 times more fungal spokes than the WHO safety limits. They can cause skin allergies, respiratory issues, and anxiety. As per a 2021 study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India), PM 2.5 levels for low-income and high-income households in Delhi were high during the winters. The concentrations reported 23 and 29 times higher than the WHO safe limits, respectively. These findings also suggested that high-income households were 13 times more likely to own air purifiers than low-income households.

In Delhi, No One Gets To Breathe

Dr Kenneth Lee, who was the lead author of the study said, "In Delhi, the bottom line is - whether someone is rich or poor, no one gets to breathe clean air."

Lee further adds, "It’s a complex vicious cycle. When you do not know about the pollution levels inside your homes, you do not worry about it, and hence you are less likely to take corrective actions. Only with increased awareness, demand for clean air may gain momentum.”

The study also found that indoor PM2.5 levels were higher than the value reported by the nearest government monitor. The PM2.5 levels spiked in the mornings and evenings when households were most likely to be cooking.

The recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health 2025 notes that long term exposure to high fungal and bacterial concentration make indoor air in several parts of Delhi as harmful as the smog outside. The study also noted that most fungal particles were smaller than 2.5 microns, this is why they can easily penetrate through your bloodstreams.

The study revealed a distinct seasonal trend in indoor air quality across Delhi. Fungal levels rose steadily from winter, peaking at around 6,050 CFU per cubic metre between September and November, just before the city’s infamous smog season. Bacterial concentrations, meanwhile, climbed from winter to summer, reaching their highest levels in August before tapering off in the fall.

Health complaints among residents were widespread: 33% reported frequent headaches, 23% experienced burning or irritated eyes, 22% suffered persistent coughing or breathlessness, and 18% struggled with sneezing and allergic rhinitis. Another 15% reported skin irritation and itching.

Who Are At Most Risk Of Indoor Pollution?

The study highlighted that children and young adults were particularly vulnerable, about 28% of children under 12 and 25% of young adults (18–30 years) experienced breathing difficulties, coughing, or allergy-related symptoms. Researchers attributed children’s higher susceptibility to developing lungs, increased physical activity, and longer indoor exposure.

Women also reported more eye and skin problems, making up nearly 60% of dermatological and eye irritation cases, likely due to spending more time indoors.

Conducted over a year in North Delhi, the study, “Microbial Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Health Correlations in Densely Populated Urban Areas of Delhi, India”, found that fungal and bacterial levels inside homes were several times higher than WHO’s safe limits, underscoring that Delhi’s pollution crisis extends well beyond outdoor air.