Addicted to Spicy, Sweet, and Salty Flavors, Avoiding Hospitals, and Lost in Phones: Young People Suffering More from 'This Disease' Than Their Parents' Generation

Three Major Diseases Increasing Among Young People: Diabetes, Colorectal Cancer, and Dementia

The Lunar New Year holiday, the biggest traditional holiday of the nation, is a joyful time to reconnect and share stories with family and relatives after a long time. However, if one gets carried away by the festive atmosphere and overeats or overdrinks, it can trigger health warnings, so caution is necessary. In particular, with the rise of diabetes and colorectal cancer mainly among the younger generation, special attention is required when consuming holiday foods.

Eating Malatang and Having Tanghulu for Dessert? ... The Risk of 'Young Diabetes'

Tanghulu. [Image source=Getty Images Bank]

Recent studies show a significant increase in diabetes patients among the 20s and 30s age group. According to data released by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of diabetes patients in their 20s and 30s rose from 139,682 in 2018 to 174,485 in 2022, an increase of 24.9%. Hypertension patients also increased from 213,136 to 258,832, a 21.4% rise.

The reason for the decreasing age of diabetes onset is linked to the young generation's preference for stimulating eating habits. Young people have become accustomed to spicy, sweet, and salty foods known as 'maepdanjjan,' such as Yeopgi Tteokbokki, Tanghulu, and Malatang, leading to a rapid increase in young diabetes. In particular, the sodium content in one serving of Malatang ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 mg, which is similar to the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended daily sodium intake of 2,000 mg.

The problem is that if blood sugar levels are not very high, there are often no noticeable symptoms, making early diagnosis of diabetes difficult. Especially for young diabetes patients, the duration of living with the disease is longer than for older adults, increasing the risk of complications such as diabetic foot disease, cataracts, kidney disease, angina, and cerebrovascular diseases.

To prevent diabetes, improving eating habits is important. It is better to consume vegetables and proteins before carbohydrates. Also, during the holidays, it is advisable to avoid greasy foods such as pancakes, braised short ribs, and fried dishes as much as possible. Rice cakes, which are often eaten a lot during the holidays, can also cause a steep rise in blood sugar, so caution is needed.

Colorectal Cancer Incidence in 20s to 40s, Korea Ranks First

[Image source=Pixabay]

'Young colorectal cancer' has also been rapidly increasing over the past decade. Colorectal cancer refers to malignant tumors occurring in the cecum, colon, and rectum, which are parts of the digestive system. Initially, colorectal cancer had a high incidence rate among those aged 50 and above. However, recently, the incidence rate among people in their 20s to 40s has been rising. In fact, a 2022 paper published in the international medical journal 'The Lancet' reported that Korea has the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer among young people aged 20 to 40 worldwide. The colorectal cancer incidence rate for Koreans aged 20 to 49 was 12.9 per 100,000 population, ranking first among 42 countries surveyed.

Korea also had the highest average annual increase rate of 4.2% in colorectal cancer patients aged 20 to 40 among the surveyed countries. Colorectal cancer was once more prevalent in Western countries, but since the 2000s, the incidence rate in Korea has been rapidly rising.

The main causes of the sharp increase in colorectal cancer incidence among young Koreans include ▲rapid westernization of dietary habits ▲increased obesity, overweight, and diabetes among the young generation. Especially, many young people do not visit hospitals even if they have symptoms suspicious of colorectal cancer, such as abdominal pain. If symptoms such as bloody stools, anemia, or abdominal pain appear, it is advisable to get tested for colorectal cancer promptly.

Don't Be Complacent Because You're Young... Increasing Young Dementia 'Youngzheimer'

[Image source=Asia Economy DB]

Another threatening disease for young people is 'digital dementia.' A new term, 'Youngzheimer,' has even been coined to describe young people complaining of forgetfulness. This term combines Young and Alzheimer. For example, not remembering a word you just tried to search on a portal site or being unsure whether you turned off the lights at home.

The biggest cause of Youngzheimer is excessive smartphone use. The 20s and 30s generation, familiar with digital devices, tend to record and store all information on smartphones and IT devices. While convenient, this leads to a decline in brain functions responsible for memory. Smartphone addiction especially worsens these symptoms.

To prevent forgetfulness, it is necessary to reduce smartphone usage. Also, cultivating the habit of trying to remember things on your own is important. Physical activity also helps. Regularly engaging in activities that stimulate both body and brain, such as walking, running, reading newspapers or books, writing diaries, sewing, and playing musical instruments, is beneficial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.