‘Good sleep, sports important to save kids from diabetes’

LUCKNOW: Just like you ask your children what did they study during the day, also ask them how much they played and slept, said experts at the 7th annual conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), UP chapter.

Till 18 years of age, nine hours of good sleep is required but if you look at the children, even aged around 10 years, they are busy playing mobile games till midnight and then get up for school as early as 6am, says Dr Jalees Fatma, organising secretary of the RSSDI. “They do not have enough sleeping hours and this disturbs their normal growth and also invites diseases,” she said.

A special session, ‘Young and Diabetes’, was also conducted during which the experts discussed the reasons behind children falling victim to such diseases. Vice-chancellor of Era University Prof Abbas Ali Mahdi, Prof Nar Singh Verma of King George’s Medical University and Dr Anuj Maheshwari chaired the

session. “Sport is as important as education. And I can say that if a child is active in sports his concentration level will be high, thereby helping in studies too,” said Dr Varesh. He said schools should also ensure participation of all students in any of the sports. “It is mandatory in USA that all the children take part in some sport and also in cultural activity for their overall development. A healthy body only has a fit mind and a fit mind brings leadership qualities,” said Prof Mahdi.