Sedentary lifestyle spurs diabetes in younger women

PUNE: A common precursor to diabetes in younger women aged between 20 and 30 is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS are often insulin resistant — their bodies can make insulin but can’t use it appropriately, which increases their risk of type 2 diabetes, lowering the average for this disease in women considerably lower than the conventionally assumed number of 45 years old.

Nisha Pansare, fertility consultant at Nova IVF Fertility, said, “Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with menstrual irregularities and lower fertility rates. Now, even young women have been diagnosed with diabetes during their reproductive years owing to sedentary lifestyles. Diabetic women are more prone to infection and damage to reproductive organs like fallopian tubes. High blood glucose levels lead to miscarriage or congenital defects in the fetus. Increased blood glucose and excessive nutrition for the growing fetus can cause macrosomia (big baby syndrome). Owing to tiredness, depression, stress, and anxiety, many women with diabetes have low sexual desire.”

Diabetologist Sushant Rajput echoed, “Factors such as being overweight, consuming a low-fibre and high-sugar diet, low level of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle due to work environments, and high levels of stress can considerably increase chances of women in their 20s and 30s to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”

According to the Office on Women’s Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, 50% of women with PCOS develop either diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40. A research by Endocrine Society, a global community focused on improving patient care, shaping effective policy, in 2017 revealed that women with PCOS are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than similar peers without the disorder.

“PCOS an also induce infertility, and high blood sugar levels during pregnancy also known as gestational diabetes. It can cause premature delivery, large baby, miscarriage, and birth defects in the babies. Women with diabetes can get urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal yeast infections, one’s periods can also become longer and heavier due to changes in the menstrual cycle,” said Rajeshwari Pawar, consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi.

Nutritionist Supriya Kulkarni added, “The best way to keep blood sugar levels in control is to watch what you eat. Stay away from processed foods, fried snacks. Reduce the carbs in your meals and make sure to add 50% of fibre and proteins.”