India is facing a growing diabetes crisis, particularly among its older population, according to new research based on the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS). A recent study analyzed data from over 51,000 non-diabetic adults aged 45 and older across India, highlighting alarming statistics.
The study, conducted by researchers using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), found
that approximately 41.2% of participants fall under the high-risk category for type-2 diabetes, indicating significant health risks for one of the country’s most vulnerable demographics.
Among the states, Kerala reported the highest prevalence of high-risk individuals with 64.4%, followed by Haryana and Telangana, where more than half of the adults aged 45 and above are also considered at high risk. This alarming trend reveals the urgent need for effective intervention strategies.
Significant correlations between various health factors and diabetes risk were found. Obesity was identified as the most prominent risk factor, with individuals classified as obese having over four times the odds of being at high risk compared to those with lower body mass index (BMI) levels. The study also indicated higher diabetes risk among individuals with histories of heart disease and stroke.
The study utilized the IDRS, which assesses diabetes risk based on four key factors: age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes, and physical activity levels. This non-invasive screening method provides a practical approach to estimate diabetes risk across populations.
The findings come at a time when diabetes is increasingly becoming endemic among India’s aging population, with projections indicating the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes is set to rise from 9% to 10.8% by 2045.
Prior to this study, many couples across the nation were unaware of their diabetes statuses, pointing to significant public health gaps. The researchers noted the need for extensive community education and awareness campaigns targeted at improving diet and encouraging higher levels of physical activity among older adults.
Regarding physical activity, almost one-third of those surveyed reported not engaging in any regular exercise. This lack of physical activity is coupled with dietary influences, where unhealthy eating patterns are highly linked to the development of obesity and diabetes.
The study aims to inform policy makers about the need for establishment of community health programs focusing on these risk factors to alleviate potential health burdens.
With effective public health initiatives and structured intervention policies, there lies hope for mitigating the impending diabetes epidemic and improving overall health among the elderly population throughout India.