Diabetes Epidemic in India: Tamil Nadu Emerges as Hotspot
Diabetes Epidemic in India: Diabetes is rapidly spreading in India; it is one of the major concerns that needs to be addressed. 101 million people are suffering from diabetes, and 136 million people have prediabetes in India.
Amongst all the places in India, Tamil Nadu is one of the hotspots for this condition. According to the latest study revealed by ICMR-INDIAB, the prevalence of diabetes in adults who are over 20 in Tamil Nadu has surged by 104%, and people with prediabetes have increased by 103% over the past decade.
This is raising serious health concerns in the public. Because the data says that between 2008 and 2010, the prevalence of diabetes was 11.1%, which has increased to 22.7% in 2022-2023, representing an overall 104% increase in the past 10 years.
Meanwhile, the prevalence of prediabetes was 12.2% in the years 2008 to 2021, and it has now risen to 24.8% by 2023, which is a 103% increase.
This indicates that 12 million people already have diabetes in TN, and another 10 million people are going to develop it in the next few years.
The study is also highlighting the worrying trend in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, where there is an increase in the number during the same period, from 8.3% to 18.3%, representing an overall 120% increase over the decade.
By this, we can also say that diabetes is also spreading into the smaller towns and villages as well, no longer confined to cities and urban lifestyles.
Health professionals pointed out that the primary reason behind this is lifestyle and dietary factors. But the genetic factor also plays an important role; it is largely environmental, especially consuming high-carbohydrate diets and physical inactivity.
In Tamil Nadu, people traditionally consume heavily refined carbohydrates such as polished white rice, and a high intake of glycemic foods can also cause an increase in the blood glucose level.
Studies by MSSRF showed that adolescent girls in the state have unhealthy habits and also consume higher amounts of fried snacks and ultra-processed foods.
Public health experts mentioned that early detection and lifestyle changes can help to reverse this trend, and community screening with awareness for improved diet and physical activity can become a strategic move to reduce the prevalence of diabetes.
If there is a change in policy, like modifying public distribution systems to offer more nutritious options, such as adding pulses and millets to improve diet instead of refined grains and sugar, and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.
To conclude, the sharp rise in diabetes and prediabetes in Tamil Nadu is a clear warning sign for India’s public health systems. This requires need for immediate, coordinated action to prevent and manage this condition from becoming a long-term healthcare crisis for the country
