“Diabetes in middle and low-income countries has shot up rapidly," said Dr Mohan while sharing data points which showed the prevalence in rural and urban as of 2018. In urban population, Delhi (25.2%) had the highest prevalence of diabetes and second-highest being in Chennai (22.8%) whereas in rural population the highest incidence was in Karnataka (16.0) seconded by Godavari (13.2%).
Sharing research insights, Dr Mohan stated that the South Asian Phynotype is a major cause for rapid transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes in the ethnic group. The factors included lower age at onset of type 2 diabetes, lower threshold for BMI for T2DM, low cholesterol, high triglycerides, high abdominal obesity, visceral fat etc.
“While genetic factors are important they are not the only cause, 95 per cent is because of the environment.”
According to Dr Mohan reduction in physical activity, increased calories, unhealthy food consumption and urbanisation are the main factors leading to the rising incidence of diabetes.
“The earlier you get diabetes the more aggressive it is so there has to be a greater emphasis towards the prevention of diabetes,” said Dr Mohan in his concluding statement while also emphasising that on the importance of healthy eating and more physical activities which can prevent or even reverse diabetes.