Diabetes has the highest prevalence in India and China. According to the International Diabetes Federation, India ranks second only to be beaten by China. The global prevalence of diabetes is 463 million people, 88 million people in the South-East Asia Region; by 2045 it is expected to increase exponentially to 153 million people with Diabetes.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Atlas, 9th edition
- 1 in 11 adults (20-79 years) have diabetes (463 million)
- 1 in 2 adults with diabetes are undiagnosed (50% of the population)
- 1 in 5 people with diabetes are above 65 years old (20% of the geriatric population)
- 3 in 4 (79%)people with diabetes live middle and low-income countries
- 1 in 3 adults have impaired glucose tolerance
- 2 in 3 people with diabetes live in urban areas
It is alarming that of the 88 million people with diabetes in the South-East Asia Region, 77 million are from India.
Are you at risk of type 2 diabetes?
Let’s see some of the factors that are contributors to the development of diabetes:
- Are you genetically predisposed to diabetes? If parents, grandparents, siblings, parents’ siblings have diabetes, you are at a greater risk of developing diabetes. Thus, it is imperative to take action now to adopt a healthier lifestyle to prevent or delay the onset of developing diabetes
- Are you overweight or obese? Weight is one of the main risk factors. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020 89% of newly diagnosed people with diabetes were overweight.
- Is your diet speeding up the development of diabetes? Food plays a key role in the development of diabetes. It is one of the pillars of diabetes management. Are you choosing foods that help you nurture and nourish your body or do you choose foods that only taste good but provide less or minimal nourishment?
- Are you leading an active lifestyle? According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020 38% of adults diagnosed with diabetes were physically inactive. Exercise improves your body’s ability to control blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity. Are you physically active less than 3 times a week?
- Have you been diagnosed with prediabetes or gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)? People with prediabetes and gestational diabetes, have a greater risk of developing diabetes. However, do not lose hope, with the correct guidance and lifestyle intervention programme, you may be able to prevent or delay the onset of the development of diabetes. There is increasing research showing the reversal of diabetes through monitored medication, nutrition, and lifestyle intervention.
Management of Diabetes
The goal of a good diabetes management programme is to prevent or delay the onset of complications through a multifold approach of nutrition, exercise, medication and lifestyle. It is like a table with 4 legs or a car with 4 wheels, a table will not be stable without 1 leg and a car would not be able to optimally function with a busted tyre or a missing tyre.
Reach out to our team of dietitians for your personalised nutrition and lifestyle intervention programme – My Diabetes Health
