RISING
DIABETES IN INDIA – SCIENCE
News: Diabetes epidemic is increasing in
many states in the country: ICMR-INDIAB study
What's
in the news?
●
A cross sectional population based survey
from 31 states and union territories of the country has found the prevalence of
major metabolic non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, high
cholesterol, obesity and prediabetes. 136 million in the country prediabetic,
101 million already dealing with it, the study found.
Key
takeaways:
The study revealed
alarming statistics regarding diabetes in India:
●
India
is the infamous diabetes capital of the world accounting for one sixth of the world’s population
with considerable occurrence at younger age (45-64 years).
●
Approximately 11.4% of the population
(10.13 crore people) has diabetes.
●
Another 15.3% of the population is in the
pre-diabetic stage.
●
This translates to an estimated 101.3
million diabetics and 136 million individuals in the pre-diabetic stage.
●
Urban areas have a higher prevalence
(16.4%) compared to rural areas (8.9%).
Reasons
for Rising Diabetes in India:
1.
Genetic Predisposition:
●
Indians have a higher genetic
susceptibility to diabetes.
2.
Changing Lifestyles:
●
Urbanization, sedentary habits and
unhealthy dietary patterns contribute to increased obesity and diabetes risk.
3.
Obesity Epidemic:
●
Rising obesity rates in India are a major
risk factor for diabetes.
4.
Socioeconomic Factors:
●
Limited access to healthcare, lack of
awareness and resource constraints hinder diabetes management.
5.
Urban-Rural Divide:
●
Diabetes is no longer limited to urban
areas, as rural regions also experience a growing prevalence.
6.
Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment:
●
Late diagnosis and treatment initiation
impede effective disease management.
7.
Women:
●
Women bear the silent burden of this
illness as gestational diabetes is common among pregnant women where hormonal
changes make the blood sugar levels oscillate.
Measures
to reduce diabetes in India:
1.
Prevention and Health Promotion:
●
Encouraging healthy lifestyles and stress
reduction.
2.
Early Detection and Diagnosis:
●
Promoting awareness and implementing
screening programs.
3.
Access to Quality Healthcare:
●
Improving healthcare infrastructure and
ensuring equitable access.
4.
Education and Awareness:
●
Public health campaigns to raise awareness
and encourage lifestyle modifications.
5.
Policy Interventions:
●
Implementing policies for healthy
environments and regulating unhealthy products.
India is facing a
significant health crisis with the rising burden of diabetes. It is imperative
to prioritize diabetes prevention and management to ensure a healthier future
for the nation.