Local Teens Launch SOCK: It To Diabetes To Teach Kids Healthy Habits And Fight Diabetes

By Neel & Anisha Hiremath

Cedar Park, TX – What started as a small, student-led idea has grown into a community movement. SOCK: It to Diabetes, a youth-run nonprofit project, is helping children and families understand the importance of balanced meals, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices in preventing diabetes.

High school siblings Neel Hiremath, 16, and Anisha Hiremath, 15, are the driving force behind the initiative.

Their motivation is personal: diabetes runs in their family, and watching loved ones struggle with complications like neuropathy inspired them to take action.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly both globally and in the United States, underscoring the urgency of early prevention and education efforts like SOCK: It to Diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with diabetes worldwide has risen dramatically over recent decades, from roughly 200 million in 1990 to about 830 million in 2022, with the majority of cases due to type 2 diabetes and prevalence rising most quickly in low‑ and middle‑income countries.

In the U.S., more than 38 million individuals—about 1 in 10 people—have diabetes, and an increasing number of children, teens, and young adults are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

“We realized that many kids know sugar is bad, but they don’t understand what a balanced meal really looks like,” Neel explains. “SOCK: It to Diabetes is our way to teach nutrition in a fun and interactive way, so kids can make healthy choices early.”

SOCK: It to Diabetes hosts workshops at schools and community centers. Through hands-on demonstrations, games, and discussions, participants learn how to read nutrition labels, understand sugar content, and incorporate healthier options into daily meals.

One memorable exercise compares a can of orange juice to 14 whole oranges—the number required to produce that single serving—helping kids visualize sugar content and fiber benefits.

Beyond teaching nutrition, the project also emphasizes community engagement and youth leadership. Neel and Anisha mentor younger volunteers, creating a ripple effect of awareness and education.

Their volunteer team has grown, and the initiative has reached hundreds of students and families, donated nutritious meals to underserved communities, and sparked meaningful conversations about healthy living.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the kids’ reactions when they realize healthy eating can be fun and simple,” Anisha says. “Even small changes can make a huge difference in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes.”

The results speak for themselves. They have reached over 20,000 people and raised more than $4000 for nutrition education of youth, raising awareness about diabetes & donated more than 5000 nutritious meals to the underserved . Their volunteer team has grown from two to five members.

The siblings hope to expand the project globally, inspiring other young people to take the lead in health education.

Neel plans to pursue a career in health policy and advocacy, while Anisha aims to work in health science.

As these young changemakers demonstrate, awareness and education can transform lives—one workshop, one conversation, and one healthier choice at a time.