Alarming Rise in Diabetes Rates in India: Over 100 Million Affected

 A report from the Indian Council of Medical Research - India Diabetes in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reveals that over 100 million people in India suffer from diabetes. The study, which surveyed nearly 113,000 individuals aged 20 and above over a decade, found that the prevalence of diabetes in India is substantially higher than previously predicted, with 11.4% of the population affected. Compared to a 6% prevalence rate in Italy and a global average of 9.2%, these figures are alarming. 

The study found the highest rates of diabetes in the states of Goa (26.4%), Puducherry, and Kerala (both 25%). The report also warns that these numbers are likely to rise in rural areas, where they are currently lower than in urban regions. Furthermore, an estimated 136 million people or 15.3% of the population are living with pre-diabetes, a condition that significantly increases the likelihood of developing diabetes in the future.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously estimated that 77 million Indians had diabetes and about 25 million were pre-diabetic. Diabetes can lead to severe health issues such as vision loss, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and limb amputations. 

Viswanathan Mohan, the senior author of the survey, attributes the rise in diabetes cases in India to changing diets, urban migration, irregular work schedules, sedentary lifestyles, stress, air pollution, and the proliferation of fast food. He emphasizes that these factors not only increase diabetes rates but also contribute to high blood pressure and abdominal obesity. 

Mohan suggests that the solution cannot be solely political. He calls for the population to take responsibility by adopting healthier eating habits, reducing the consumption of foods high in carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and salts, maintaining regular sleep schedules, and engaging in physical activity. With discipline, he asserts, it will be easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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