Hours spent in office leave no time for physical movement. This sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity which can directly lead to diabetes, according to physicians.

Apart from this, Indians are genetically predisposed to the disease due to the high insulin resistance in their bodies.

"It is to combat this early onset of diabetes that doctors are prescribing preventive medicines like Metfomin," according to Dr S K Wangoo of the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

The drug which is basically an insulin sensitising agent reduces the risk of the onset of diabetes.

Dr Archana Arya, an endocrinologist working with the capital's Ganga Ram hospital, however, feels, that the medicine is being used more than it should be.

"The younger generation should instead focus more on losing weight and making a changeover in their lifestyles," she told PTI.

This stands true specially for children as they should be getting more outdoor time than at present.

"The focus should be on controlling the weight rather than depending on medicines, specially amongst children," Arya added.

The type of diabetes afflicting the younger generation is mostly type-II diabetes which is a direct result of the rapid changes in lifestyle among Indians.

Ordering food from outside has become a trend. Eating junk food and irregular meal time is not good for the body.

There is not enough nutrition that is supplied to the body except the extra fats that are hard to burn, the doctors say.

Dining at fancy restaurants and fast food joints too has contributed largely to the growing waistlines of urban citizens with lavish spending power.

Regular alcohol consumption and smoking increase the pressure on the body, and worsen diabetes-related problems.

"The urban lifestyle, if not modified, can lead to serious healths risks. Diabetes is a grave health problem that can lead to further complications like cardiovascular diseases, renal failure and even blindness," she said.

According to the National Family Health Survey for 2006, more than two per cent of men and women between 35-49 years of age suffer from diabetes in the country.

The prevalence of the disease increases with age and household wealth status.