Diabetes rate on rise among young adults in Chennai, finds study

Data analysis by diagnostic chain Metropolis Healthcare revealed that 15 per cent of the 2,71,489 samples tested for Diabetes from Jan 2019 to Aug 2020 in Chennai was found to be suffering from poorly controlled Diabetes.

As per the analysis, the incidence of poorly controlled diabetes was found to be the highest with about 20 per cent of the sample in the age group of 20-30 years and 30-40 years, while it was 19 per cent in the age group of 40-50 years.

Currently, one in every four people under 25 has adult-onset diabetes, a condition more usually seen in the age group of 40-50 years, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research. The availability of fast food, which is relatively cheaper than healthy food, is preferred among office-goers. With more options opening up every day, the figure is expected to double by 2025.

The incidence was lowest in the above-80 age group with 8 per cent prevalence. The peak-prevalence was identified as 20-30 years. The survey showed that 25 per cent of men tested were found to suffer from unsatisfactorily controlled diabetes compared to 23 per cent for women.

Commenting on the study, Dr Anita Suryanarayan, vice-president, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, said, “Diabetes is a growing challenge in India with an estimated 8.7 per cent diabetic population in the age group of 20-70 years. The rising prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases is driven by a combination of factors -- rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diets, uncontrolled use of alcohol and tobacco. Thus, lifestyle modifications need to be adapted.”