New Delhi. The prevalence of diabetes is escalating swiftly among the Indian population, primarily due to shifts in lifestyle and dietary practices. A report from Thyrocare, a diagnostic service provider, indicates that an analysis of health check-up data from 19.6 lakh adult Indians in 2023 found that 49.43 percent exhibited abnormal sugar levels. Among these individuals, 27.18 percent were classified as diabetic, while 22.25 percent were identified as pre-diabetic.
A recent study published in the Lancet journal highlights that India represents over a quarter of the 830 million diabetes patients globally, with 212 million adults affected by the condition. Additionally, research conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2023 revealed that 101 million individuals in India are diabetic, and 136 million are pre-diabetic.
Recent findings suggest that one contributing factor to the rising diabetes rates in India is the increasing consumption of cakes, chips, cookies, crackers, fried foods, and ultra-processed items. The habitual intake of these products results in diminished insulin production by the pancreas, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
Type-2 diabetes is the predominant form of diabetes in India, primarily impacting middle-aged and older adults. In contrast, Type-1 diabetes generally affects younger individuals and poses greater challenges in terms of treatment.
