Diabetes is a significant contributor to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputations, according to the World Health Organisation.
According to a study claiming to be “one of the first comprehensive studies covering all States of India” that measures the rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the nation, 31 million Indians developed diabetes between 2019 and 2021.
Goa, Puducherry, and Kerala had the highest rates of diabetes prevalence (26.4%, approximately 25%), and the report warns that even if the prevalence is relatively low in rural regions, those rates are anticipated to skyrocket over the next five years.
11.4% of Indians have diabetes, compared to 35.5% who have hypertension. Additionally, 40% of the population and 50% of women in India are obese in the abdomen area.
India’s burden of diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, and generalized and abdominal obesity, which puts individuals at risk for non-communicable diseases and potentially fatal illnesses including strokes, has increased significantly over the previous four years.
Also read, Heart Attacks: Study says Mondays can give you more serious heart attacks.
Reason for increase of Diabetes in India:
In an interview with The Hindu, Dr. V. Mohan, a senior author of the study, explained that the availability of surplus food in India today is being compounded by a culture that is overly exposed to fast food, lacks sleep, reduces exercise, and is stressed.
The prevalence of NCD patients is rising as a result of these causes combined. Government can’t solve the problem on its own; people also need to be accountable for eating well, limiting their intake of foods rich in fat, sugar, and salt, getting enough sleep, and exercising. In order to keep us healthy and disease-free, a little discipline will go a long way,” he said.
According to the survey, 11.4% of Indians have the disease, 15.3% have pre-diabetes, 35.5% have hypertension, 28.6% have generalised obesity, 39.5% have abdominal obesity, and 24% have hypercholesterolemia. Accordingly, Goa, Sikkim, Punjab, Puducherry (both generalised and abdominal obesity) and Kerala had the highest rates of the NCD.
According to the study, India had 101 million cases of the same and 136 million cases of pre-diabetes in 2021, along with 315 million cases of high blood pressure, 254 million cases of generalized obesity, and 351 million cases of abdominal obesity. Additionally, hypercholesterolemia affected 213 million people nationwide.
The disease is hard to avoid in India, however, it is not impossible. Doctors and experts suggest the best way to avoid it is to have an active lifestyle, having healthy food and getting proper sleep. These simple things can avoid diabetes and many other health complications.
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