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.

Diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control glucose in the blood. As a result, the blood sugar level becomes elevated and can lead to chronic metabolic disorders. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels interfere with the function of organs, including the liver, kidney, and heart. This is not only a burden, but also inhibits the affected child’s growth and development.

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Exercise helps prevent diabetes because the energy produced from glucose is used to activate the muscles. The muscle contractions that occur during exercise also help the pancreas release insulin.

It is becoming ironic, because diabetes has been understood for more than 100 years, since Frederick Banting and Charles Best first discovered in 1922 that insulin could be used to treat diabetes. Banting’s birthday, 14 Nov., has even been declared World Diabetes Day and is commemorated every year. The fact is, however, that the number of people affected by diabetes, including children, continues to increase.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

A student of an elementary school in South Tangerang, Banten take part in physical education, sports and health in the school field, Thursday (24/1/2019). Sport is one of the outdoor activities at school that can control obesity in children. Obesity has a greater risk of triggering diabetes in children..

Overcoming this problem requires the active role of many parties. In this case, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) can be more proactive in regulating the sugar and carbohydrate content in children's food and drink.

The World Health Organization recommends a maximum daily sugar intake of 50 grams (4 tablespoons) for adults and 30 grams (6 teaspoons) in children. If it is difficult to adopt the WHO’s recommendations as the standard of the food and beverage industry, the government can require the industry to affix warning labels if the their products contain excessive amounts of sugar, just like the warning on tobacco products.

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> Protect the Children

Likewise, the Youth and Sports Ministry should be more active in encourages sports and exercise in every community, starting from basic physical activities, such as group calisthenics, and on to various sports competitions from the village to the national level.

The Communication Ministry, the Health Ministry, and various health organizations need to be more active in disseminating information about diabetes, including on preventing, recognizing, and overcoming the disease. On the other hand, of course the public needs to be open to preventing diabetes from affecting family members. This is for our children’s future.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.