INDORE: The increasing number of diabetic patients and young generation falling victim to the disease in their early life prompted the government to think about the need for regular diabetes screening among schoolchildren, a view strongly backed by the private schools in the city and sought to bring their students also under the cover of the programme.According to health experts, diabetes catches Indians 10 years earlier than their western counterparts. Among the children, prevalence of Type-II diabetes has almost doubled in last decade.Dr Sandeep Julka, a city-based diabetologist, said that Type-II diabetes occurs mainly due to genetical and environmental changes. The country is witnessing a sudden change in environment and food habits, which are pushing the young population into diabetes and other health disorders.“Schools should promote physical exercise and let the children play outdoor games. Parents, on the other hand, should promote their wards to use bicycles and discourage fast food,” he said. Appreciating the efforts by the government, Dr Julka welcomed the move of the Union health ministry to screen school-going children.Taking cognizance of the alarming number of diabetic patients in the country and the need to screen school students for this disease, the Union ministry of health and family welfare felt the need for screening programme at the school level and introduced it on pilot basis in six districts in the country including Ratlam. The screening is primarily focused on school students from Class I to X and in the age group of 5 to 15 years. The School Health Programme (SHP) under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) focusing schoolchildren between the age group of 6-18 and enrolled in government and government-aided schools is already in place. The prime attention is to address the health needs of children, both physical and mental, and in addition, it provides for nutrition interventions, physical activities and counselling.The school principals rue that parents are not taking responsibility of their children adding that they themselves promote junk food, which is a main reason for health problems among kids. Dilip Vasu, principal, Choithram International School, says, “We provide food similar to that of home. It is nutritious and good for health. But, during meeting with parents, I face more questions related to food than academics. Parents support their children’s junk food habit.” He said that school-based screening programme of the government was welcome but it should also be introduced in private schools as cases of diabetes would be found more among students in private schools.Principal of Indore Public School Cynthia James said that an appreciable step has been taken by the government. “Though we conduct medical check-up twice a year, we do not have diabetes screening programme. Such programmes should be introduced in private schools as well.” She insisted that parents themselves are conscious and educated enough to take care of their kids’ diet and health.“We give general awareness to the students that junk food is not good for health. Education has to be given to the students at all level on the subject,” she said.