India, Jan. 12 -- The burden of diabetes is no longer limited to adults; it is increasingly affecting children and teenagers as well.

According to the 'Children in India 2025' report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, 9.7 out of every 10-19-year-old adolescents in Jammu and Kashmir are in a pre-diabetic stage.

Doctors say this is very concerning and requires urgent lifestyle changes and public health measures. They said that about 10 per cent of young people in this age group are pre-diabetic, which puts them at high risk of developing full-blown diabetes if no action is taken quickly.

Dr Khursheed Ahmad Mir from DHSK said most of these cases are linked to the excessive consumption of sugary drinks, fast food,...