THE RISK OF DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE BEFORE 18

Obesity in childhood is often seen as a matter of appearance, but its consequences run much deeper.

- DR. ASHISH GAUTAM

Medical evidence now shows that excess weight at an early age can alter the body's functioning in ways that bring serious health risks well before adulthood. Among these, type 2 diabetes and heart disease are the most concerning, because they are no longer illnesses of middle age. Increasingly, they are being identified in children and adolescents. Diabetes is one of the earliest and most visible effects of obesity. When children gain excess fat, especially around the abdomen, their bodies struggle to use insulin effectively. This state, known as insulin resistance, pushes the pancreas to produce more insulin. Over time, the system fails, blood sugar rises, and type 2 diabetes develops. Ten years ago, such cases in teenagers were rare. Today, paediatric endocrinologists report a steady increase. A child with diabetes faces daily restrictions, such as regular glucose checks, food monitoring, and often medication, at an age when life should be free of such burdens.