Beware, more tech could lead to diabetes

Mumbai: The mobile phone you cannot live without could be the source of your weight gain. Not surprisingly, then, doctors feel that technical devices like mobile phones — and even television sets — could be contributing to the rising incidence of diabetes.
    "Data we have collated from our research in Mumbai shows that each gizmo owned by a family contributes to an increase of 8 kg in body weight,'' said Shashank Joshi, editor of the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, India's leading medical research journal.
Cellphones — with the comfort factor they offer — are a cause for metabolic syndrome, leading to diabetes.
    "Moreover, people speak on mobiles for hours, which cuts down on their sleep. And emerging research shows that there could a correlation between disturbed sleep patterns and type-2 diabetes,'' Joshi said.
    The connection between gadgets and diabetes is simple: instead of walking up to the television set to change channels, people just flip channels; instead of playing on the field, children play on computers. Such factors affect the body's metabolism and lead to an accumulation of fat which, in turn, could trigger off diabetes.
    So an urban family of four with, say, a television, an air-conditioner, a car and mobile phones could be looking at gaining 32 kgs excess weight that they wouldn't have gathered if they did not have the high-tech devices.
THE CHECK-LIST | Avail of free or discounted health check-ups on World Diabetes Day
    Reliance Wellness has announced a week-long campaign starting November 14 and on till November 20 to promote awareness on diabetes in Mumbai. Customers can get discounts on glucometers, sugarfree cookies, sweeteners and health drinks. Consultation will be provided by ayurvedic doctors as well. Patients can enrol for a special diabetes programe to avail of a host of benefits.
    ADC (Abbott Diabetes Care) is launching a country-wide diabetes education programme on 10 November and it will be on till 14 November; doctors, hospitals and chemists across cities in India will create diabetes awareness. The poor and needy with diabetes — nominated by the hospitals and doctors — will be given free blood glucose meters and strips.
    Jupiter Hospital (Thane), Dalvi Hospital (Gamdevi), Sahastrabudhe Hospital (Panvel) and Hinduja Hospital (Mahim) are having free diabetes education programmes on 14 November.
    Metropolis & Saffola Life Foundation are offering subsidised tests between 14 November and 30 November at selected Metropolis laboratories. Patients can avail of different packages.