Diabetes on the Rise in India: Alarming Trends Highlight Need for Action

India is facing a diabetes epidemic, with a Thyrocare report showing 49.43% of its tested population had abnormal blood glucose levels in 2023. Of these, 27.18% were diabetic, and 22.25% prediabetic. Another ICMR study estimated national diabetes prevalence at 11.4%, with prediabetes at 15.3%.

The disease is linked to urbanization-driven lifestyle changes, such as physical inactivity, high-calorie diets, and stress. Men have a higher prevalence (30.84%) than women (23.51%), with the burden highest among people aged 65+ (44.92%).

Experts stress the need for early detection, public awareness campaigns, and prevention programs to curb the rising prevalence, particularly in economically active age groups and young adults prone to prediabetes.