Five reasons why screening for type 2 diabetes is important!

ype 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Latest report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) shows that 415 million adults were living with diabetes in 2015 and this number is expected to rise to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040.

India is among the top three countries with a high number of diabetic population. Indians are also known to develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age and at a lower body mass index (BMI) with 46% of patients diagnosed under the age of 40 years.

It is said that one in two people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, which makes them particularly susceptible to the complications of the condition, causing substantial disability and premature death.

The International Diabetes Federation explains why people should get themselves screened for type 2 diabetes:

• Most people with type 2 diabetes live for a long period of time without being aware of their condition, diabetes complications may already be present by the time of diagnosis.
• Up to 70% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent to up to 160 million cases by 2040.
• With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes.
• 12% of total global expenditure on health is currently spent on adults with diabetes.
• The number of people with diabetes in low-and middle-income countries will continue to grow, posing a threat to sustainable development. For example by 2040, the number of people with diabetes in Africa is expected to double.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't react to insulin.

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. Led by the IDF, each World Diabetes Day focuses on a theme related to diabetes. This year of World Diabetes Day 2016 is 'Eyes on Diabetes'.