OVER 100 MILLION PEOPLE IN INDIA HAVE DIABETIES

OVER 100 MILLION PEOPLE IN INDIA HAVE DIABETIES

20-APRIL-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Diabetes can strike at any age. Nowadays, due to busy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and a lack of exercise, the number of people suffering from diabetes is constantly on the rise. Experts emphasize that proper nutrition is crucial for controlling diabetes. Some individuals fall victim to this disease due to factors such as obesity, weight gain, or excessive stress. Once diagnosed with diabetes, a person must live with it for the rest of their life. It is a chronic condition that tends to worsen over time.

In India, the problem of diabetes has now assumed the proportions of an epidemic. India is now frequently referred to as the 'Diabetes Capital of the World.' In this context, read on to discover which Indian state has the highest number of diabetes patients and the reasons behind this phenomenon...

According to a detailed study by ICMR-INDIAB, published in *The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology* (June 2023), over 100 million people in India are suffering from diabetes. The state with the highest diabetes rate is Goa, where more than 26.4 percent of the population is affected by the disease. Following Goa, other states and Union Territories with high prevalence rates include Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, and Chandigarh. Another analysis from 2025 indicates that Tamil Nadu has the highest 'Age-Standardized Prevalence Rate' (ASPR) for diabetes, followed by Goa and Karnataka. According to a report by the *National Medical Journal of India* (2023–2025), the state with the lowest diabetes rate is Uttar Pradesh (4.8 percent).

Dr. Ashok M.N., Consultant in Internal Medicine and Diabetology at SPARSH Hospital, Yeshwanthpur (Bengaluru), notes that the reported high diabetes rate in Goa reflects the combined impact of various factors related to lifestyle, dietary habits, and demographics. A dense urban population, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in carbohydrates, sugar, and alcohol are all contributing factors to this growing problem. Furthermore, factors such as improved screening facilities and heightened health awareness in Goa may also contribute to a higher detection rate for diabetes compared to other regions.

Dr. Ashok M.N. further noted that an increase in diabetes cases has also been observed in several other states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Punjab. Risk factors such as urbanization, reduced physical activity, and rising obesity are prevalent in these regions as well. In many instances, this risk is further exacerbated by stress, irregular sleep patterns, and genetic predispositions. Another major concern is the rising incidence of diabetes among the youth, primarily driven by the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles and poor dietary habits from an early age. The greatest challenge lies in the fact that diabetes often goes undetected during its initial stages, allowing serious internal complications to develop silently within the body. Addressing this issue necessitates a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare, which encompasses regular health check-ups, awareness regarding healthy dietary habits, increased physical activity, and timely medical intervention. While the geographical location of a region may indeed influence the prevalence of diabetes, lifestyle remains the single most critical factor.

According to the National Institutes of Health (.gov), experts attribute the high rates of diabetes—particularly in Goa and the southern states—to a confluence of poor lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and socioeconomic determinants, including: Obesity is the most common underlying cause of diabetes. A study conducted by ICMR-INDIAB, published in the journal *Nature*, indicates that regions with a high prevalence of diabetes often exhibit correspondingly high rates of abdominal and general obesity. These are factors known to be strongly associated with Type 2 diabetes.

States like Goa and Tamil Nadu are highly urbanized; consequently, people's lifestyles have become more sedentary, physical activity has declined, and the consumption of high-calorie, processed foods has increased.

Changes in dietary habits—specifically the excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar—are a primary cause of the rising incidence of 'Metabolic Syndrome.' Essentially, this syndrome is a cluster of various health issues that collectively and significantly elevate the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Numerous studies indicate that, compared to other populations, Indians generally possess a higher genetic predisposition to developing diabetes, alongside higher levels of 'insulin resistance.'

In economically developed states, the rates of 'Non-Communicable Diseases' (NCDs)—such as diabetes and high blood pressure—appear to be elevated due to lifestyle changes. For this very reason, these statistics are particularly high in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These regions typically possess superior healthcare infrastructure and a high level of public awareness. Consequently, a greater number of cases are identified and reported here compared to lower-income and less urbanized states.

Patients with diabetes should reduce their salt intake. Non-vegetarian foods, dairy products, ice cream, coconut oil, and chicken are high in fat content. If you have diabetes, you should strictly avoid fast food and deep-fried items. For breakfast, you should avoid items such as Upma, Bonda, Vada, or... One should not consume *Puris*. Dr. Shraddhey Katiyar has shared a list of the 31 worst food items for diabetic patients on his Twitter (X) handle, which is as follows: Whole Wheat Flour / Refined Flour (Maida) | Boiled Potatoes | Low-fat Sweets

Biscuits | Pineapple | Skimmed Milk, Rusk | Watermelon | Protein Bars, Marie Biscuits | Honey | Mango, Porridge (Daliya) | Semolina (Suji) Idli/Cheela | Puffed Rice, Sago (Sabudana) | Gram Flour (Besan) Cheela | Chapati, Oats | Pasta | Papaya, Oat Milk | Noodles | Chocolate, Bread (of any kind) | French Fries | Flavored Yogurt, Banana | Potato Chips | Cakes and Cookies, Taro Root (Arbi).

Most people tend to equate diabetes with blood sugar, but there is a significant difference between the two. Blood sugar refers to the level of glucose in the blood, which fluctuates based on our dietary habits. On the other hand, diabetes occurs when the body stops producing insulin or when insulin fails to function properly. Insulin is a hormone that assists the body in transporting blood sugar (glucose) to the cells, thereby providing them with energy. When insulin does not function correctly, blood sugar levels rise, leading to diabetes. In the context of diabetes, a blood sugar level exceeding 200 mg/dL is considered serious. A level above 200 mg/dL indicates high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia.

According to information provided on medlineplus.gov, you can determine the normal blood sugar levels corresponding to different age groups through the chart below.

It is important to note that normal blood sugar levels vary depending on an individual's age and physical condition. Understanding these levels can help you determine whether your glucose levels fall within a healthy range. Here, learn about the normal fasting and random blood sugar levels based on age.