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A recent report released by Thyrocare, a diagnostics and preventive healthcare provider, on the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes among the Indian population, found that 49.43% of the tested population exhibited abnormal HbA1c levels, with 22.25% falling in the pre-diabetic range and 27.18% in the diabetic range.
The study covered 1,966,449 adults nationwide who underwent a routine health check-up in 2023. The study also pointed out the high prevalence of both diabetes and pre-diabetes in Odisha, while Jammu & Kashmir recorded the lowest levels.
The study revealed a striking correlation between dietary habits and diabetes prevalence. States with higher rice consumption showed a greater incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes, while states with predominantly wheat-based diets demonstrated lower prevalence rates, highlighting the role of diet in managing disease risk.
Males had a significantly higher diabetes prevalence (30.84%) compared to females (23.51%). Pre-diabetes prevalence remained relatively balanced between genders.
The data showed the highest diabetic burden in 65+ individuals, with worrying trends showing increasing prevalence in the economically active age group of 36-65 years. Young adults between 18-35 years show a higher prevalence of pre-diabetes than diabetes, indicating a high potential to develop the disease.
Rahul Guha, MD and CEO of Thyrocare Technologies Ltd. & President of API Holdings, said, “This study sheds light on the silent but alarming rise of diabetes and pre-diabetes in India, it is imperative to prioritise regular testing, mass screening, and early detection. The role of diet in disease management cannot be understated, and we hope this research sparks meaningful action in public health policy and promotes a more proactive approach to disease prevention and management.”
Another recent global survey by the International Diabetes Federation reveals that 77% of people with diabetes face mental health challenges, with fear of complications (83%) and daily management (76%) being key stressors. Three in four respondents seek greater emotional and mental health support from healthcare providers.
One of the solutions to developing diabetes, say experts, lies in losing weight. However, that isn’t always as easy, say for those who are in the obese category, such as Kalpana Ganesh.
When she was in college, Kalpana Ganesh never considered herself overweight. Though she was not lean—at 5’4”, she weighed around 70kg—weight was never an issue as she believed in body positivity. She began piling on kilos gradually and unmindfully, thanks to a thriving hostel life, outside food and late-night binge sessions with friends. At 25, she left her hometown of Jabalpur to start her career as a communications professional in Mumbai. Her daily schedule went for a toss, and thereafter, the kilos never came down, necessitating “a zillion paid interventions”.
Now, in her 40s, Ganesh has already spent Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to lose weight. This includes a two-year gym membership, costing around Rs 50,000, and an additional Rs 18,000 for another six months at a different time. She also spent around a lakh on 10 injections to reduce abdominal fat and Rs 30,000 on a quarterly diet programme. And yet, she weighs 115 kg.
Not that she didn’t shed any kilos. Six months ago, she weighed 124 kg, which brought with it full-blown type 2 diabetes.
“Losing weight is an expensive proposition now,” quips Ganesh. According to a report by Global Data, around 40,000 weight management surgeries were performed in India in 2022. Added to that drugs such as semaglutide and WeGovy aid in weight loss and thereby, bring sugar levels down.
As per a report by IMARC, a market research company, the size of the weight management market in India touched Rs 1.72 lakh crore in 2022. It is expected to grow to Rs 3.15 lakh crore by 2028. This is true across categories, from beverages, food and dietary supplements to fitness equipment and apps and services that include health clubs, medical consultation and procedures.
The weight loss or anti-obesity drugs market, consisting of pills, fluids and injectibles, which are used in cases of grade 3 obesity, has doubled since then, feeding into a demand caused by the sheer rise in the number of obese people in India.
More than half the world’s population will be overweight or obese by 2035 unless urgent action is taken to curb the growing epidemic of excess weight, warns a report by the World Obesity Federation.
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