Diabetes emerging as an epidemic in India, rate up 123% since 1990

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: India sure is developing on all fronts, but along with the growth and development comes the burden of lifestyle diseases. India is witnessing a diabetes epidemic and the disease has emerged one of the most arduous health challenges.

A latest study has showed that diabetes rate has increased by around 45% globally and it has jumped 123% in India between 1990 and 2013.

These staggering figures are a part of a global study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. The study, based on the analysis of 301 acute and chronic diseases in 188 countries, said that the disease which was more prevalent in rich countries for several decades is now picking up in developing nations such as India, China and Mexico.

Diabetes is also among the top ten reasons for various other disorders among both men and women as it breeds obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, severe kidney and lower urinary tract infection, stroke and many other diseases.

The maximum leap was observed in Type 2 diabetes, which is usually related to obesity and is the most common form of the disease.

According to the experts, the emergence of this disease is linked to the economic development of India over last two decades which has massively impacted the lifestyle including the eating and sleeping habits among youngsters.

Also the increased stress level, irregular working hours, lack of exercise and consumption of alcohol and fast food were some of the significant contributors for the increasing incidence of diabetes in India.