The report says, 101 million Indians, or 11.4% of the total population, have diabetes. Based on data till 2022, the other nations with the most diabetics are China (148 million), US (42 million), Pakistan (36 million), Indonesia (25 million) and Brazil (22 million).
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and affects people regardless of country, age group, or sex. According to a Lancet study published on World Diabetes Day observed every year on November 14, around 82.8 crore people worldwide are expected to have diabetes in 2022, with more than 25% of those affected in India.
The report says, 101 million Indians, or 11.4% of the total population, have diabetes. Based on data till 2022, the other nations with the most diabetics are China (148 million), US (42 million), Pakistan (36 million), Indonesia (25 million) and Brazil (22 million).
The figure of 82.8 crore is over four times the number in 1990, with the largest increase in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), researchers forming the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) said.
Dr. R M Anjana, president of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and one of the authors of the Lancet paper, notes that the prevalence figures might have been higher if the HbA1c blood test and fasting glucose rate had been used as benchmarks for calculations. The number of individuals with diabetes increased in this study when HbA1c and fasting glucose were used as determining factors. It’s also critical to remember that several conditions, including anaemia, blood diseases, and certain drugs might affect the HbA1c.
Symptoms
Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Typical signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Risk factors?
Poor diets and obesity are risk factors everywhere. According to Dr. Anjana, “India needs ambitious policies in lower-income regions on restricting unhealthy foods, making healthy foods affordable and even free in school meals, and promoting safe places for walking and exercising, including free entrance to public parks and fitness facilities.”
Lack of treatment
Worldwide three out of five 30-plus people (59 per cent or 445 million) did not receive medication for diabetes in 2022, three-and-a-half times the number in 1990 (129 million). In 2022, almost 64 million men and 69 million women with untreated diabetes lived in India.
How to prevent it?
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow a healthy diet.
- Do at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.
- Don’t smoke.
- Talk to your health care provider to see whether there is anything else you can do to delay or to prevent type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition resulting from either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels in critical organs like the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It raises the risk for severe health issues, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure. Diabetes can also lead to nerve damage and poor circulation in the feet, resulting in ulcers and, potentially, amputations. As per Indian Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR INDIAB) study published in 2023, the prevalence of diabetes is 10.1 crores.
The observance of World Diabetes Day spotlights the urgent need for raising awareness and comprehensive action in diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, effective management, and equitable care access. The theme for 2024, ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps,’ highlights the collective commitment to overcoming obstacles in diabetes care and ensuring that every individual diagnosed has access to high-quality, affordable treatment.
