World Diabetes Day - Diabetes in children and adolescents
November 14 marks one of the most important days in world calendar as World Diabetes Day. The day draws attention to this disease, which is a part of a larger global epidemic of non-communicable diseases, covering over 250 million people.
Hence it highlights the need for greater global awareness campaign and action to improve care, prevent the disease in those at risk and find a cure.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced World Diabetes Day in 1991 in response to the growing number of people suffering from diabetes. This day was chosen to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best is widely credited with the discovery of insulin in 1921. This year, the theme is: “diabetes in children and adolescents.”
As far as India is concerned, the IDF data shows that there were an estimated 40 million people with diabetes in India in 2007, and this number is predicted to rise to almost 70 million people by 2025. However, the change of lifestyle among children has further made diabetes among of the most common chronic ailment to affect children.
Diabetes in Children
Diabetes can strike children of any age; according to data available, almost 4 million people die from diabetes-related causes. Everyday more than 200 children a day develop type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease which has no prevention so far, while the type 2 diabetes, widely associated with weight gain and lack of exercise, was previously thought to be an adult-only disease. Type 2 is now affecting an increasing number of children worldwide.
The global campaign aims to bring diabetes to light, spread awareness, knowledge the warning signs and alert to the diabetes threat. Very often, diabetes among children is diagnosed late or even misdiagnosed as something else.
No child should die of diabetes
Dr. Martin Silink, President of the International Diabetes Federation, emphasizing the serious impact of diabetes, said that many including children are dying in the developing world with no access to medication, regular monitoring and care they need to survive. “It’s been 87 years since Banting, Macleod and the team in Toronto discovered insulin, yet it still does not reach many of the world’s most vulnerable citizens,” he added.
The World Diabetes Day campaign can be followed online at www.worlddiabetesday.org
Feature Articles on Diabetes
World Diabetes Day Nov 14: Caring for children and adolescents
By Amit Dwivedi; Nov 13, 2008
The theme of this year's World Diabetes Day (November 14) is diabetes in children and adolescents. The global awareness campaign aims to bring the spot light on diabetes and highlight the message that no child should die of diabetes…
With proper care, adolescents with diabetes can lead healthy lives
By Amit Dwivedi; Nov 6, 2008
Diabetes has a unique impact on the lives of adolescents and requires constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, medication and balancing the effects of food and activity. With careful management by diabetologists, nutritionists, …
Care for children and adolescents living with diabetes
By Amit Dwivedi; Oct 24, 2008
"Diabetes is a deadly disease, and each year, almost 4 million people die from diabetes-related causes. Children, particularly in countries where there is limited access to diabetes care and supplies, die young", according to International …
Not only the rich are at risk of diabetes
By Amit Dwivedi; Oct 18, 2008
A media report labelled diabetes as a lifestyle disease. Rightly so, but it doesn't imply that poor and underserved communities are not at risk of diabetes. In fact, the World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created by the International …
People with diabetes lose more than money
By Amit Dwivedi; Oct 7, 2008
"It is not about money. No amount of money will give back my limb" said a 65 years old woman with diabetes (name withheld on request) who underwent limb amputation at the Gandhi Memorial & Associated Hospitals (GM & AH)…
Bringing diabetes to light
By Bobby Ramakant; Sep 24, 2008
There is a growing consensus to raise awareness about diabetes in the 50 days leading up to World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2008. The International Diabetes Federation announced that the theme for this year's campaign is …