PETALING JAYA: Parents should not wait until their children develop Type 2 diabetes before taking action, with doctors calling for earlier identification of young people at risk of the disease.
Senior paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS said children’s growth should be monitored from a young age, with those who became overweight referred to healthcare professionals.
“We must not miss the window for early intervention and wait until they develop Type 2 diabetes,” he said.
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Dr Amar Singh said preventing childhood Type 2 diabetes requires changes not only within families but also in children’s living environment.
Parents should lead by example by adopting healthier eating habits and becoming more physically active, he said.
The doctor also called for more green spaces in cities to encourage outdoor activities, as well as greater use of public transport.
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Malaysia should move away from what he described as a “car-addicted society”, while walking and cycling should also be encouraged, he said.
Dr Amar Singh said parents should realise that Type 2 diabetes is not solely an “adult disease”.
“We need to wake up to the reality of our failed societal lifestyles.
“This is not about causing parental guilt. It is about the reality that we live in an environment that heavily promotes calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and sedentary habits,” he said.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson said general practitioners may recommend diabetes screening when a young patient has risk factors.
He said tests such as HbA1c or an oral glucose tolerance test are not routinely performed on every young patient who visits a clinic.
“However, screening should be considered when there are risk factors such as obesity, a strong family history of diabetes or other features suggesting metabolic risk,” he said.
Dr Shanmuganathan said HbA1c could be a useful test for identifying people with pre-diabetes, allowing preventive measures to be taken before they progressed to Type 2 diabetes.
“An HbA1c result in the pre-diabetes range does not mean that the person will inevitably develop diabetes. It indicates an increased risk and provides an important opportunity for intervention.
“The message should not be to test every teenager indiscriminately but to recognise risk early.”
Young people with obesity, a strong family history of diabetes or other metabolic risk factors should discuss appropriate screening with their doctor, he added.
“Pre-diabetes gives us a window of opportunity. If we identify the risk early enough, lifestyle changes involving healthier food choices, weight management and regular physical activity can prevent or delay progression to Type 2 diabetes.”
