Medical experts have voiced concern over the growing prevalence of Type-2 diabetes among young Bangladesh’s people, warning that unhealthy lifestyles, excessive screen dependency, poor sleep habits and unhealthy dietary practices are accelerating the spread of the disease among those aged between 20 and 30.
Doctors say diabetes, once regarded primarily as a disease affecting middle-aged and elderly people, is now increasingly being diagnosed among younger populations due to rapid lifestyle changes associated with urban living and digital dependence.
“Now we are witnessing a significant rise of Type-2 diabetes among young people because they are not involved in sports or physical activities,” said Dr Abu Nasir Mohith, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of BIRDEM General Hospital, reports BSS.
“They spend prolonged periods sitting in front of laptops and mobile phones, consume excessive fast food and soft drinks and maintain highly sedentary lifestyles,” said Dr Mohith.
He said the growing culture of staying awake late at night using mobile phones has emerged as another major contributor to diabetes among youths.
“When the body does not receive adequate and timely sleep, cortisol levels rise significantly. This stress hormone directly interferes with blood sugar regulation and gradually contributes to insulin resistance, ultimately leading to diabetes,” Dr Mohith said.
Health specialists observed that the increasing reliance on fast food, junk food and sugary beverages, combined with declining physical activity, has created conditions that significantly increase obesity and metabolic disorders among young adults.
According to physicians, prolonged screen time and limited physical movement reduce the body’s ability to properly regulate glucose, increasing the likelihood of pre-diabetes and eventually full-scale diabetes.
Doctors also voiced concern over the lack of public awareness regarding pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels remain higher than normal but have not yet crossed the threshold for diabetes.
Under international standards set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), fasting blood sugar levels below 100 mg/dL are considered normal, levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL indicate pre-diabetes, while levels of 126 mg/dL or above are classified as diabetes.
Medical experts noted that pre-diabetes often develops silently without obvious symptoms, leaving many young people unaware of their condition until serious health complications emerge.
They advised young people to remain cautious about warning signs including excessive thirst, frequent urination, unusual fatigue, blurred vision, sudden weight loss and increased hunger.
Diabetes, Thyroid, Hormonal Disease & Medicine Specialist Dr. Shankar Barua warned that uncontrolled diabetes can gradually damage multiple organs and systems within the body.
“Diabetes can affect the body from the hair on the head to the nails on the toes,” said Dr Barua, also an Assistant Professor (Diabetology & Endocrinology) of Cox's Bazar Medical College.
“For young patients, the consequences are more severe because complications begin earlier and continue for a much longer period of life,” he added.
He said uncontrolled diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, liver complications, nerve damage, visual impairment and other long-term health problems.
Referring to hereditary and maternal health risks, Dr Barua said children born to mothers with gestational diabetes face an increased risk of obesity and Type-2 diabetes later in life.
“However, if blood sugar remains strictly controlled during pregnancy, these risks can be reduced considerably,” he added.
He also stressed that family history remains an important risk factor for diabetes among children.
Addressing misconceptions regarding insulin therapy, Dr Barua said many patients unnecessarily fear insulin despite it being one of the safest and most effective treatment options in many cases.
“Insulin is not a harmful or addictive medicine. It is simply a synthetic form of a hormone naturally produced by the body,” he said.
“In pregnancy, insulin is often considered safer because it does not cross the placenta to affect the unborn child, unlike several oral medications.”
He added that timely insulin use can help preserve pancreatic function and improve long-term disease management.
Doctors also warned about hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, describing it as a potentially life-threatening medical emergency for diabetic patients.
According to specialists, hypoglycemia generally occurs when blood sugar levels fall below 3.9 mmol/L or 70 mg/dL.
Symptoms include sudden hunger, body trembling, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion and abnormal behaviour.
“If the patient remains conscious, glucose or sugar water should be administered immediately,” Dr Barua said.
“However, if the patient becomes unconscious, nothing should be given orally and the patient must be taken to the nearest hospital without delay.”
To combat the growing crisis, physicians recommended adopting a disciplined lifestyle centred on healthy eating, regular physical exercise, adequate sleep and proper medication management.
Doctors advised reducing sugar, sweets and refined carbohydrates such as white rice and processed flour while increasing consumption of fibre-rich foods, vegetables and whole grains.
They also recommended at least 30 to 40 minutes of brisk walking or physical activity daily, along with maintaining seven to eight hours of proper sleep and effective stress management.
Medical experts believe that early screening, greater public awareness and sustained lifestyle discipline remain the most effective measures to prevent further escalation of diabetes among the country’s younger population.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
