03 October,2011 07:30 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
There has been an increase in the number of diabetic patients in the last two decades, shows research done by KEM Hospital.
Disturbing findings: An underweight infant at the CCU in KEM Hospital.
For its research, KEM monitored underweight kids born in the hospital
since 1989 and found most of them had become diabetic
The in-depth study was conducted on 452 sample families by KEM Hospital, which is celebrating its centenary year this year.
The research findings show a considerable increase in cases of diabetic patients. The study shows that drastic lifestyle changes in the last 20 years have been the cause of several ailments.
To study the changes, paediatricians from KEM monitored underweight children born in the hospital from 1989. Research shows that most of them have become diabetic, with the study showing a sharp rise from 3 per cent to 21 per cent in the incidence of the disease.
"This shocking result has indicated that the city has seen a drastic change in lifestyle," said Dr Anand Pandit, head of Paediatric Department, KEM. "Globalisation and the free economy has led to people consuming fast food, creating serious health-related issues among the youth."
KEM said its data was the only one of its kind available in the country. Inspired by the KEM research, other hospitals in cities like Delhi, Mysore, Vellore and Mumbai will also start similar research.
Dr V S Padbidri, a noted dietician, also pointed out that obesity in the younger generation leads to heart attacks and early diabetics.
