Study says there was a higher percentage increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among younger individuals as compared to older individuals in southern India over a period of 10 years. The increases mainly came about because of the rise in obesity and family history of diabetes.
The study, titled “The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the youth in southern India – An ancillary analysis of the Secular Trends in Diabetes in India (STRiDE-I) study” by Nanditha Arun et al. reports that young adults, teenagers and children are developing diabetes at rates far beyond previous expectations.
The team led by A. Ramachandran from India Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr. A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospitals investigated younger (20-39 years old) and older (40 years and above) people who have had new cases of type-2 diabetes between 2006 -2016. The results were published under title “The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the youth in southern India – An ancillary analysis of the Secular Trends in Diabetes in India (STRiDE-I) study” on Journal Of Diabetes.
According to researchers, this review used data from two epidemiological surveys conducted ten years apart i.e., 2006 and 2016 respectively involving Chennai (city), Kancheepuram (town) and Panruti (peri-urban village). For survey I, there were enrollees numbering up to 7,066 while for survey II they numbered up to 9,848.
“In rural area we found it was about 9% back then but when we went back last year it has risen to 13%. Besides chennai also saw an increase from 18% up to 22%. Additionally we looked at the change using similar analyses comparing younger with elder populations,” said Nanditha Arun who was speaking on behalf of others involved with it.
In a decade, the incidence of diabetes increased in both the young and old age groups. Specifically, the authors found that over a period of 10 years, the prevalence of diabetes among younger population rose from 4.5% to 7.8%, an increase of 36%. On the other hand, it also went up from 28.4% to 34% among older persons; an increase was equated to 11%. Younger individuals recorded a rise in incidence by 120% while older ones by 150% according to this survey.
‘Chronic disorder’
“When diagnosed at a younger age and with a rising prevalence, it is worrisome as they will live longer with the condition and have a higher risk of complications. Dr.Nanditha said, “They will have higher exposure to the ill effects of diabetes and hyperglycemia.”
Then why did this happen? Waist circumference – abdominal obesity – was one independent risk factor when adjusted for family history and age. “Within our study population, physical activity decreased significantly while dietary habits worsened with more fat consumption and higher calorie intake.” She further stated that despite family history of diabetes or age being unmodifiable risk factors towards type-2-diabetes pathogenesis; youngsters can reduce modifiable risk factors like central obesity through good life choices that involve healthy eating patterns as well as exercise which is physical (Research Gate).
