Young People Facing Lifestyle-Related Health Issues

Fathima, a 22-year-old hard-working accountant, knows she's healthy. How, you ask? She regularly exercises, eats all three meals a day with equal amounts of veggies and proteins, and even goes out with her friends once or twice a month. That's why it came as a massive surprise to anyone who knew her when she got admitted for heart problems. She's only 22! She should be as far as possible from a heart condition. That's only a concern for older people, after all! Fathima knows she's healthy and still couldn't understand why she was in a hospital on the cusp of getting her whole lifestyle upheaved.

If you, too, believed this, then you would be as disappointed as Fathima to know that, in many cases, age and lifestyle diseases are not related at all. Continuing to believe that these health issues are solely the domain of our grandparents will be not only harmful to us but also to our children.

While it's true that the risk for many lifestyle diseases gradually increases with age, these conditions are already creeping up on our younger generations at an alarming rate.

In this scenario, age is truly just a number. We will admit that it is one among the many pieces of a bigger, darker picture. Genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices are also part of this picture.

But why exactly is it a widely known lifestyle disease misconception that it primarily affects only older adults? Because it is as deeply ingrained in our society as the Gangnam-style chorus. Here are some of the reasons this stereotype is considered a fact:

• Historical Data: Traditionally, many lifestyle diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, were more prevalent among older populations. For example, in Alzheimer's, the percentage of people affected dramatically increases with age.

The 2023 Harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study, or LASI-DAD, reported that around 7.4% of people aged 60 and older were suffering from dementia. So it's not really like the stereotype is entirely baseless. However, it still encourages the negligence of younger people who develop similar diseases.

• Visible Symptoms: True old age diseases, like arthritis or osteoporosis, often accompany more noticeable symptoms in the elderly. It is expected to be called an old man/woman for groaning when you stand up after sitting too long. It only further reinforces the association between age and these conditions.

• Underdiagnosis in Younger Populations: Due to a lack of awareness and timely screening, lifestyle diseases might go undiagnosed in younger individuals. This way, they only become part of the statistics way later on when the condition becomes too debilitating to question its existence.

• Media Representation: Media often portrays these diseases as age-related, further reinforcing the myth. This is why celebrities and writers should be mindful of their part in harmful stereotypes, even if unintentional.

A study in 2021 used a film to address the negative perception of multiple sclerosis in the Hispanic/Latinx community. Within three months of exposure to the film, many in the target group understood and developed a positive outlook on MS treatments. With such influence, the responsibility is also high.

With all of these factors working the public into thinking lifestyle diseases affect only the elderly, the reality is quite different. These diseases are on the rise among younger populations, and it's all the more urgent to dispel these myths for early prevention and intervention.

But first, what exactly are these diseases that are on the rise?

The quiet and subtle increase in sedentary lifestyles and adoption of unhealthy diets, resulting in constant stress, has created a perfect little concoction for the development of lifestyle diseases in younger populations. Here's a breakdown of some common culprits:

• Obesity: As a significant risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, obesity has become the steppingstone for many other diseases in India. A study in 2021 saw a heavy increase in obesity diagnoses in the urban living college-educated population.

Even today, the ever-rising rates of childhood and adolescent obesity are a significant concern. These excess pounds can lead to a cascade of health problems, including certain types of cancer.

• Type 2 Diabetes: Once considered an adult-onset disease, type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in children and teenagers. All thanks to obesity and the exercise-less lifestyles that are part and parcel of urban life.

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): It's quite literally called the "silent killer" because it shows no symptoms, affecting young people and increasing the risk of stroke and kidney-related disease. Stress, unhealthy diets that consist of high-salt meals, and lack of physical activity are significant contributors.

• Mental Health: Most, if not half of all, mental health disorders in adulthood start by age 14. Some of the common mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can end up comorbid with other chronic diseases.

• Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse by themselves are lifestyle diseases, and they can also lead to other diseases, including liver damage, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Seeing this rising among young people is both a travesty and a failure of the system as a whole.

• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): While heart disease is often associated with older adults, young people are also prone to heart attacks and strokes. As recently as May 2024, the Economic Times reported increased CVD among Indians in their 40s.

The impact of lifestyle diseases is painfully evident in economically challenged regions. These communities often face many struggles that make these conditions prevalent among financially burdened young people.

The region's limited number of healthcare centers and lack of monetary support can interfere with the early detection and management of lifestyle diseases. Add in the fact that areas with limited access to fresh and nutritious food in underserved communities lead to higher consumption of processed foods, a big no-no for young and growing children.

Most of all, with economic hardships and social challenges, there is a considerable elevation in stress levels and mental health issues. Among countries like India and China, poverty is very much a factor that disrupts mental well-being. As a coping mechanism or as a form of escapism, young people in these regions are more likely to fall into addiction, increasing their risk of lifestyle diseases.

Addressing the root causes of these disparities requires a detailed and delicate approach. By breaking the cycle of lifestyle diseases in these areas, we can build healthier communities for generations.

While the usual suspects like poor diet and stress often take center stage when discussing lifestyle diseases in young people, some lesser-known factors can also majorly impact their health.

• Sleep Deprivation: Juggling school, work, and social activities and developing chronic sleep deprivation is right around the corner for our younger folks. As sleep is closely connected to emotional regulation, lack of sleep has a high chance of being comorbid with anxiety and depression. It can impair hormones and cognitive function, leading to memory-related non-communicable diseases like dementia.

• Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental pollutants, like smoke or harmful chemicals, can harm young and developing bodies. Most of these toxins are as regular as the ones we use daily to clean. But with enough exposure, they can increase the risk of various diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Specifically, in low-income countries, 90% of deaths are caused by chronic respiratory diseases.

• Early Life Experiences: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), like abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can have long-lasting effects on a child's psyche. These experiences almost always result in chronic mental disorders that are disruptive to daily life.

• Social media: Excessive use of social media has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people. It can even lead to social media addiction that pushes them to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms and ultimately ends up impacting THEIR physical health, too.

These hidden factors must also be considered risk factors to get the full picture and provide a safe strategy. This can give us a better prevention and intervention module focused on young people.

The impact of lifestyle diseases extends far beyond the individual. According to one UN report, the debilitating economic burden these conditions can lead to is significant. With insane healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and a lower quality of life, they impact the individual and the country.

Moreover, the younger a person develops a chronic disease, the longer they will have to manage it, potentially leading to a lifetime of challenges, both financial and mental

Being younger comes with its own set of challenges and advantages. Grandmas fondly call it the age one can catch hold of the snake that's slithering away. Youth and its unbridled adventurous spirit must be nurtured for a fulfilling adulthood. That's why it's important to remember that lifestyle diseases and their misconceptions affect all ages, not just older adults.

Do the one thing Fathima never bothered to do in her misinformed self-assuredness—regular health screenings. As we've seen throughout the blog, age and lifestyle diseases are only relevant in some cases. So, it's never too early or too late to give yourself the care you need. Making small, sustainable changes to your routine can significantly reduce your risk of developing lifestyle diseases and allow you to enjoy a longer, healthier life.