 Simple change in child's diet can control juvenile diabetes
Source: edited from hindu.com Date: 11/15/07
Simple change in a child's diet like including more fenugreek, spinach and fibers in their meals can help control juvenile diabetes, according to experts.
With the cases of juvenile diabetes on rise in metros, cutting down on junk food and following a healthy diet chart with more protein and fibre-rich food (Fenugreek seeds or foods prepared with Fenugreek and Legumes) to a children's diet is important to keep them healthy, leading doctors said.
"The problem lies as children consume junk food on a routine basis and follow an unhealthy lifestyle. They should take a balanced diet with high carbohydrates and high protein," Dr Archana Arya, Child Diabetes expert at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said.
"Children with diabetes need to have a balanced diet at regular interval of time. Ideally the fat intake should be 20 per cent of total energy and carbohydrates intake need to be 55 to 70 per cent of total energy," Arya said.
Outdoor activities like swimming, playing games and walking are a must for diabetic children.
"Children spend more time on computers playing games, chatting or surfing which reduces the metabolic activities and leads to obesity and other disorders. They should be involved in outdoor activities and sports," Arya said.
Food prepared in poly-unsaturated fat found in olive oil, sunflower oil and corn oil are best for them.
"If unchecked the diabetes can cause diseases related to kidney, heart and nervous system at later stage," warned Arya.
India has been designated as the "Global Capital of Diabetes" having the highest 35 million diabetic patients.
Worldwide, 3.2 million deaths are attributed to diabetes every year and at least one in ten deaths among adults between 35 to 64 years old is attributed to diabetes.
The WHO estimate 177 million people with diabetes worldwide. In India, there are nearly 35 million diabetic patients and the number would go up to 80 million by 2030.
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