Facing discrimination

Aside from the obvious dangers, diabetes can also slow a child's physical and mental development.

The condition can cause teenagers to suffer sexual dysfunctions and make girls more vulnerable to urinary tract infections, say doctors. However, these can be kept under control with a healthy diet and exercise.

"Parents simply need to make sure their child gets three meals a day that include vegetables, beans and coarse cereals," said Yu Shuangyu, director of health for Qingdao Children's Hospital in Shandong Province. "They should prevent their child from excessive eating or drinking, avoid giving them greasy or fried foods, and carefully ration the sugary snacks they eat. "Children should also be encouraged to do exercise and take part in outdoor activities, so they can use the energy they consume," said the medic.

Just as important, however, is for parents to cushion the psychological blow that can come from being diagnosed with diabetes, according to Chen Weiya, a member of the Chinese Diabetes Society.

"Ensuring their mental health is essential," he said. "It's important not to leave any psychological scars."

Diabetics often experience loneliness and depression at school, and may feel inferior to other students, he said, which means teachers have a massive part to play in rebuilding their confidence.

And although health officials acknowledge that public awareness about the condition is low in China, the stigma attached to diabetes means adolescent sufferers also face a tough future.

Discrimination against diabetics remains a huge problem, according to the members of the Beijing Diabetes Prevention Association, which was founded in 1996.

Students with diabetes still find it difficult to go on to further education after high school because college admission officials reject them as they fear the pressures of study may put them at risk of going into a coma or even dying. All applicants are required to declare any illnesses they have on a medical history form. However, as doctors do not check applicants' blood-sugar levels during the college entrance physical examinations, many diabetics hide their condition.

"Once at university, they take their medicine and injections in secret," said Zhang Zhenlong, a member of the association's secretariat.

Many young diabetics are also afraid to fall in love, get married or have children because "they fear being hurt or rejected, or fear the condition may be passed to their loved ones", he added.

Many companies also discriminate against diabetics when hiring -- so even with a graduate degree, finding a good job can be difficult.

"We're in contact with more than 10,000 diabetics every year, among whom about 1,000 are young people. The majority of them complain about the bias they face," said Zhang Zhenlong.

"Diabetes blights the lives of sufferers, many of whom must receive lifelong treatment," he said. "Diabetes is not infectious, and society needs to be more tolerant and show understanding towards this group."

Working with 42 hospitals across the capital, the Beijing Diabetes Prevention Association carries out various events focusing on diabetes education and awareness every year.

Activities include handing out free booklets, and inviting experts to give speeches at hospitals and in communities.

"I hope more people can join us and learn more about diabetes, which will benefit not only the participants but their entire families," said Zhang Zhenlong. He added that the association is now working on a book that uses pictures and cartoons to introduce information about preventing diabetes, treatment, diet and exercise.

(China Daily May 31, 2010)