Abstract

Dr. Gayathri Dilliraj and Dr. A. Jamuna Rani*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The IDA (International diabetes federation) has stated that Diabetes is one of the chief non communicable diseases globally. Adolescents have comparatively higher risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus mainly owing to their sedentary lifestyle habits. So early awareness and proper knowledge about diabetes among budding physicians needs to be emphasized at the earliest. Materials & methods: Cross sectional study conducted among the 250 first year medical college students, belonging to the 2019-2020 batch of Sree balaji medical college & hospital. The Indian diabetic risk score-IDRS questionnaire was the index used to estimate their associated risk. Students with high risk (score>/=60) & moderate risk (score of 30 – 50) were identified. Results: The results of our questionnaire based IDRS study showed that 58% of the students had moderate risk of developing diabetes & 2.8% of the students were in the high risk category.73.2% of the students had no/very less exercise regimen in their daily schedule, especially the girl students. Thus the study emphasises the need of incorporating some form of exercise/physical activity in adolescents daily lifestyle to ensure they are healthy. Especially in times of pandemics like the trending COVID 19, where continuous social isolation and staying confined indoors for months, has made adolescents more lazy and mentally deprived.