Lack of physical activity coupled with overeating and rising intake of high-calorie food is leading to massive growth of diabetes amid children in urban India. This has come out in a just concluded Assocham survey in the wake of World Diabetes Day on November 14.

The industry body under the aegis of its Assocham Social Development Foundation (ASDF) conducted a survey in September and October of 500 kids in the age group of 10-15 years — about 50 each in 10 urban centres of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune.

Over 40 per cent of children in urban centres do not exercise at all, almost half of the kids tend to indulge in binge eating and many of them are overweight or obese, the survey showed.

Majority of them suffer from emotional distress and stay glued to their gadgets/electronics items such as television, computer, laptops, tablets, ipods, video games and other portable digital media players leading.

Not only all this has led to lack of physical movement, but also affected the ability to concentrate and time spent with family.

About 200 children (40 per cent) said they do not play any outdoor games as they get tired during the school hours. Thus, preferring to spend time on their gadgets and electronic devices, the survey revealed. In fact, interaction with friends is also restricted via phone calls, SMSs and chat messengers.

While about 350 (almost 70 per cent) of those surveyed said they consume only junk food — burgers, french fries, deep-fried chips, other packaged food articles, candy bars, ice creams, aerated drinks and others.

Only a handful (just about 50 respondents) said they have many regulations at home vis-à-vis eating habits and time spent on gadgets. While some said they do have a family history of this ailment.

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