One Out of Three Persons Test Positive for Diabetes at a Leading Indian Diagnostic Center

One-third of those who had HbA1c tests at Tata 1mg Labs were found to have diabetes. The highest prevalence was among persons in the 40-60 age group. Men had a higher prevalence of diabetes than women. This study used a retrospective data analysis of individuals who underwent a preventive health screening package or explicitly requested a check-up for diabetes. The HbA1c test, also known as a glycosylated hemoglobin test, was used for the screening because it provides information on the average blood sugar level over the previous two to three months. HbA1c levels above 6.5% are thought to be a sign of diabetes.

India- Diabetes Center of the World

Between March and October 2022, 536,164 blood samples were tested for diabetes at Tata 1mg labs all around the nation. 180,891 (or nearly 33%) of these samples tested positive for diabetes. The incidence was highest among those aged 40 to 60 (44%), then among those aged 60 and older (42%) and between 25 and 40 (12.5%). Diabetes was found to affect more men (58%) than women (42%).

Said Dr Prashant Nag, Clinical Head, Tata 1mg Labs, “Diabetes is a leading threat to public health globally, and the view is gloomier for countries like India, where the diabetes burden has risen significantly in recent decades and will continue to rise in the coming decades. As the prevalence of diabetes rises, more young adults and adolescents tend to develop diabetes, particularly if they are overweight/obese. Not just this, more people are now falling prey to borderline diabetes. It is a condition wherein blood sugar levels are slightly above the normal range, but not high enough to be called diabetes. A report published in 2018 estimated 1 in every 6 Indians to have borderline diabetes.”

He added, “All adults in India without risk factors should be screened with a test for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes starting at age 35, instead of age 45. However, many experts have recommended that screening for diabetes should now be initiated at 25 years of age, looking at the recent increase in diabetes cases in young adults in the country.”

Causes of Diabetes

In addition to genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle choices like inactivity, overindulgence in fast food, smoking, and alcohol consumption are the main contributors to the rise in diabetes cases in India. According to the expert, some studies have found that COVID-19 can also directly harm the pancreas, which could worsen blood sugar levels in people who already have diabetes and even cause diabetes to develop in people who had never had it before.

Ms Chhavi Kohli, Chief diabetes educator and nutritionist with Medanta the Medicity, Gurgaon (also on the advisory panel of Tata 1mg) said, “There is no special diet for diabetes; the whole idea is to nourish the body by taking various nutrients in the right proportion and right time. The focus should be on eating lots of seasonal colorful vegetables and consuming healthy fats and adequate protein sources. For carbs, choose a variety of whole grains. Do not miss fruits, use them as snacks and avoid packaged and processed food items. Also, a lot of myths prevail about the right diet for diabetes. Do not fall prey to misinformation. Always consult certified nutritionists and diabetes educators for your diabetes.”

Diabetes places lifetime obligations on those who have it and their families, and those who actively participate in their treatment fare better. A balanced and healthy diet, an active lifestyle, prompt medication compliance, routine health examinations, and scheduled medical appointments can help manage diabetes.

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Source-Medindia