5 min read
Through adjusting diets, building exercise routines and engaging in continuous monitoring, two young adults gradually moved beyond fatigue and uncertainty. Their experiences show that young onset diabetes is not something to fear. The key lies in taking action early and making the first step towards change.
Under the pressures of work and family life, many working adults tend to regard symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and palpitations as part of everyday life, often overlooking that these may in fact be early warning signs from the body. For Teddy and Amy, these subtle changes were early signs of young onset diabetes gradually beginning to affect their daily lives.
Teddy is the father of a pair of young twins and the main breadwinner of his family. He had always assumed his tiredness was simply the result of long working hours or feeling “a bit overweight”, and never thought it might be related to his blood sugar levels. Although there was a family history of diabetes, he still believed it was something that “older people would face first”. In recent years, Teddy began to experience unusually frequent fatigue and thirst. The growing unease led him to search online for health screening information, and to reflect, “If I cannot even take care of my own health, how can I be there to watch my children grow up?”
Teddy is the father of a pair of young twins and the main breadwinner of his family. He had always assumed his tiredness was simply the result of long working hours or feeling “a bit overweight”, and never thought it might be related to his blood sugar levels. Although there was a family history of diabetes, he still believed it was something that “older people would face first”. In recent years, Teddy began to experience unusually frequent fatigue and thirst. The growing unease led him to search online for health screening information, and to reflect, “If I cannot even take care of my own health, how can I be there to watch my children grow up?”
Amy’s situation was similar to Teddy’s. In her twenties, she began experiencing symptoms such as trembling hands and frequent fatigue. During pregnancy, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but at the time she attributed it to pregnancy and assumed her condition would return to normal after childbirth. “At that time, I felt I was still young. I ate lightly and did not even like sweet foods, so I never realised that the fatigue was actually a warning sign from my body,” she recalled. It was only after witnessing the challenges faced by older family members living with diabetes that she realised her fatigue was not a coincidence. Drawing on her past experience with gestational diabetes, Amy decided not to delay any further and arranged a health check. “Being young doesn’t mean everything is fine.”
While searching for health information, Teddy and Amy came across the Jockey Club Precision Prevention Programme on Young Onset Diabetes and decided to enrol. For them, it was not just a health check, but an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of their physical condition. In addition to comprehensive assessments such as genetic testing, blood tests and physical evaluations, the programme presents results in clear, easy‑to‑understand health reports, helping participants better understand their own health needs.
One of the most significant changes for Teddy and Amy came after they were diagnosed with young onset diabetes, when they began using the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device provided by the programme. This compact device allowed them, for the first time, to gain real‑time insights into how “every meal and every bite” affected their blood glucose levels.
“In the past, after a meal I could only rely on how I felt,” Teddy said with a laugh. “Now, with real‑time data, I finally know which foods suit me, such as those with a low glycaemic index (GI).”
Amy also shared that the data helped her adjust her food portions more precisely, and allowed the medical team to follow her condition more accurately.
Under the guidance of a professional team of doctors and nurses, Teddy and Amy gradually developed healthy habits that fit their own lifestyles.
Teddy began placing health back at the centre of his life. He adjusted the order in which he eats—starting with vegetables before carbohydrates—and developed the habit of walking at least 15,000 steps a day. Through ongoing health management, his weight dropped from 106 kilograms to 85 kilograms, his blood pressure returned to normal, and he even completed his first‑ever five‑kilometre run. Amy, on the other hand, connected with a group of “companions along the way” through dietitian‑led courses. Sharing similar experiences, even a small exchange or a simple “I’ve been through that too” was enough to encourage one another to keep going, helping them gradually integrate healthy habits into their busy daily lives.
In managing a chronic condition, ongoing professional support is just as important. The programme team regularly shares health information with participants via communication platforms, including dietary advice and reminders to avoid high‑sugar foods during festive periods. Workshops also provide a platform for exchange, where participants encourage and support one another along the way. Amy shared that beyond understanding the condition itself, psychological adjustment is equally important. “I chose to face it proactively, and gradually learn how to live with diabetes,” she said.
While searching for health information, Teddy and Amy came across the Jockey Club Precision Prevention Programme on Young Onset Diabetes and decided to enrol. For them, it was not just a health check, but an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of their physical condition. In addition to comprehensive assessments such as genetic testing, blood tests and physical evaluations, the programme presents results in clear, easy‑to‑understand health reports, helping participants better understand their own health needs.
One of the most significant changes for Teddy and Amy came after they were diagnosed with young onset diabetes, when they began using the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device provided by the programme. This compact device allowed them, for the first time, to gain real‑time insights into how “every meal and every bite” affected their blood glucose levels.
“In the past, after a meal I could only rely on how I felt,” Teddy said with a laugh. “Now, with real‑time data, I finally know which foods suit me, such as those with a low glycaemic index (GI).”
Amy also shared that the data helped her adjust her food portions more precisely, and allowed the medical team to follow her condition more accurately.
Under the guidance of a professional team of doctors and nurses, Teddy and Amy gradually developed healthy habits that fit their own lifestyles.
Teddy began placing health back at the centre of his life. He adjusted the order in which he eats—starting with vegetables before carbohydrates—and developed the habit of walking at least 15,000 steps a day. Through ongoing health management, his weight dropped from 106 kilograms to 85 kilograms, his blood pressure returned to normal, and he even completed his first‑ever five‑kilometre run. Amy, on the other hand, connected with a group of “companions along the way” through dietitian‑led courses. Sharing similar experiences, even a small exchange or a simple “I’ve been through that too” was enough to encourage one another to keep going, helping them gradually integrate healthy habits into their busy daily lives.
In managing a chronic condition, ongoing professional support is just as important. The programme team regularly shares health information with participants via communication platforms, including dietary advice and reminders to avoid high‑sugar foods during festive periods. Workshops also provide a platform for exchange, where participants encourage and support one another along the way. Amy shared that beyond understanding the condition itself, psychological adjustment is equally important. “I chose to face it proactively, and gradually learn how to live with diabetes,” she said.
Teddy and Amy’s experiences convey an important message: the earlier young onset diabetes is identified, the earlier intervention can begin and the condition can be managed more effectively. By taking action early, they not only improved their own health, but also brought healthier lifestyle habits back into their families, inspiring those around them. With early identification and active management, people living with young onset diabetes can maintain a good quality of life and continue to enjoy precious moments with their loved ones. Teddy said, “I don’t need to be the best—I just want to stay healthy so I can grow alongside my children.”
Did you know?
Jockey Club Precision Prevention Programme on Young Onset Diabetes adopts an integrated approach that combines medical technology, professional guidance and peer support. It provides one‑stop, personalised, round‑the‑clock health management support for young people at risk of or living with young onset diabetes, covering comprehensive health risk screening and lifestyle adjustments.
Through the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and participation in dedicated peer‑support communities, participants gain a better understanding of their condition, support one another, improve their diet, build healthier habits and regain vitality. A professional team of doctors and nurses provides medical and psychological support based on participants’ real‑time data and daily rhythms, accompanying them as they care for their physical and mental well‑being at their own pace.
Through the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and participation in dedicated peer‑support communities, participants gain a better understanding of their condition, support one another, improve their diet, build healthier habits and regain vitality. A professional team of doctors and nurses provides medical and psychological support based on participants’ real‑time data and daily rhythms, accompanying them as they care for their physical and mental well‑being at their own pace.
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3 min read
Pharmacist William notes, “Community pharmacies are a vital component of primary healthcare. Beyond dispensing medication, community pharmacists provide personalised consultations and health advice and empower the public to manage health conditions.”