Preventing Child Diabetes

The rising cases of diabetes mellitus in children is not only a cause for concern, but also requires concrete action so it does not become a burden on the future.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Wearing costumes with donuts, University of Surabaya Faculty of Medicine students campaign "Stop Consuming Excess Sugar" on Jalan Tunjungan, City of Surabaya, East Java, Sunday (11/13/2022). The campaign was carried out to commemorate World Diabetes Day.

Data from the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) show that in January 2023, two out of 100,000 children under 18 have diabetes. That is 70 times more than the figure recorded in 2010.

The increase was mainly caused by changes in lifestyle, including unhealthy eating and drinking habits and lack of physical activity. The Covid-19 pandemic, which has been ongoing for almost four years, may have also contributed, given the limited space for children to be active, especially when they have to learn from home.