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Calling millennial women! These 4 factors are putting you at risk of diabetes

It may sound surprising but millennial women are at a higher risk of developing diabetes than men. Here are 4 reasons why.
diabetes risk factors
Millennial women are at a higher risk of diabetes. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Geetika Sachdev Updated: 30 Oct 2023, 04:09 pm IST
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The world has progressed and that’s a great sign. But it has also brought with it a barrage of lifestyle diseases, like cancer and diabetes. In fact, a new study by the British Charity Health Foundation claims that people currently in their 20s and 30s will be at a higher risk of these lifestyle diseases in the next 30 years. You could blame it on our stressful jobs and relationships, or our inclination towards on-the-go processed foods that are wreaking havoc on our bodies. 

Unfortunately, millennial women are at a higher risk of getting some diseases like diabetes. They might love wellness and drive the biggest fitness trends like yoga and Zumba, but they are not as healthy from within. 

India and China are among the top countries that are affected by diabetes in the world. According to the WHO, India has close to 62 million people living with the diseases and is projected to have close to 70 million diabetics by 2025. These numbers are alarming and how! 

There are several things that put Indian millennial women at a higher risk of contracting diabetes. Let’s find out: 

1. Lack of regular checkups

Unlike the elderly population that undergoes frequent health checkups for diabetes and other illnesses, millennial women believe that they are far from getting any illness at a young age. Little do they realise that overlooking checkups many times means that blood sugar levels remain unchecked, and that’s where the problem lies. It is important to get yourself checked after every 6 months to a year to keep track of your health!

prediabetes
Prediabetes is what comes before the big baddie of the endocrine system i.e. diabetes. So, go for regular checkups for early detection. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
2. A sedentary lifestyle

Our lives are all about being glued to our gadgets, be it smartphones or laptops. Little do we realise that this lack of movement leads to several health issues, including diabetes. Increased physical activity enables muscle cells to use insulin and glucose in a more efficient manner that eventually lowers the risk of diabetes.

If there’s no movement, muscle cells lose their sensitivity to insulin, which then leads to a spike in blood sugar levels. In the case of millennial women, they compromise on exercise, since they are juggling personal and professional responsibilities all the time!

3. Dependence on processed foods

In our everyday hustle, we pay least attention to the food we consume. It has become all about convenience, and that has fuelled our need to stock up on ready-to-eat or processed foods. For most of us, it is as simple as ordering in a pizza or cheese-laden burger.

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But remember, this is causing major damage to your health. That’s because processed foods contain high levels of sugar and may contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes. In case you are living with unchecked diabetes, it can create serious complications. It’s best to take out some time and make homemade food.

Also, read: Are you at the risk of prediabetes? Read this to find out

4. Increased stress levels

It is a no-brainer but increased levels of stress leads to various illnesses. The type of stress that you experience can also impact your body’s physical response, and in most cases, it can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. That’s because when we are stressed, our body releases the cortisol hormone that directly impacts the blood sugar levels. It’s better that you take out some ‘me time’ to relax and practice activities like meditation.

So ladies, now that you know the risks, how about being extra cautious of these risk factors? After all, prevention is better than cure!

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About the Author

An independent writer and journalist, Geetika loves sharp and fresh humour, just like her coffee! If not writing, you'll find her cafe-hopping and raiding the best book stores in town. ...Read More

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