Rising Tide of Diabetes and PCOS in Children Alarms Local Doctor

A growing health crisis is silently affecting children across the region, and local medical practitioners are sounding the alarm. Dr. Madiha Nazreen Naite, a consulting homoeopathic physician based in Bhatkal, has observed a disturbing trend in her clinical practice: an unprecedented rise in diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other metabolic disorders among very young children and adolescents.

Dr. Madiha, who practices at her clinic opposite Huda Masjid on Jali Road in Azad Nagar, Bhatkal, treats a significant number of pediatric patients alongside women. What troubles her most is not just the volume of cases, but the nature of the illnesses she encounters daily.

“Some children are now dependent on lifelong insulin therapy, and many young girls are struggling with hormonal imbalances and early-onset PCOS conditions that were extremely rare at such ages just a decade ago,” Dr. Madiha explains. “These cases are deeply worrying and often stay on my mind for days.”

The physician, who holds a BHMS degree and has years of clinical experience, notes that while most cases respond positively to treatment, the increasing frequency of metabolic disorders in children represents a public health challenge that cannot be ignored.

According to Dr. Madiha, while multiple factors contribute to these conditions, one major culprit stands out: unhealthy modern eating habits. The widespread consumption of junk food and highly processed items is damaging children’s metabolic health at an alarming rate.

“Our children are growing up in an environment where pizza, burgers, chips, French fries, and packaged foods have become dietary staples rather than occasional treats,” she observes. “This constant exposure to processed foods is wreaking havoc on their developing bodies.”

The doctor emphasizes that the convenience of fast food and packaged snacks comes at a steep price one that manifests in the form of chronic health conditions that children must manage for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Madiha, who is also a mother herself, acknowledges that changing dietary habits is challenging. However, she insists that consistent, small changes can create significant positive impacts on children’s long-term physical and hormonal health.

She recommends several practical steps that parents can implement immediately:

Dietary Changes:

• Develop the habit of serving simple, homemade, healthy meals
• Minimize or eliminate pizza, burgers, chips, French fries, mayonnaise, ketchup, and packaged sauces from regular consumption
• Completely avoid soft drinks, packaged juices, flavored milk, and other sugary beverages
• Reduce the availability of sweets, chocolates, bakery items, and processed snacks at home
• Never skip breakfast, as irregular meals increase hormonal imbalance

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Encourage daily physical activity and outdoor play
• Significantly reduce screen time
• Maintain a proper sleep schedule, as poor sleep directly affects hormones and metabolism

Lead by Example: Dr. Madiha stresses that children naturally follow the habits of adults around them. “Parents must set an example themselves. If we continue consuming junk food while expecting our children to eat healthily, the message simply won’t stick,” she says.

The physician’s message is clear and urgent: parents must take firm and consistent steps today to protect their children’s metabolic health. What may seem like harmless dietary choices in childhood can set the stage for serious health complications that persist into adulthood.

“I see these children in my clinic, and I see their futures being compromised by preventable conditions,” Dr. Madiha states. “As healthcare providers and as parents, we have a responsibility to act now.”

For parents seeking guidance on their child’s health, Dr. Madiha welcomes consultations at her clinic. She can be reached at 97413 99294.

The issue Dr. Madiha highlights reflects a broader global trend. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned about the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and metabolic disorders, among younger populations. The shift from traditional, home-cooked meals to processed convenience foods is recognized as a major contributing factor worldwide.

However, the solution remains within reach. With awareness, commitment, and consistent effort from parents and caregivers, the trajectory of children’s health can be changed for the better.