Diabetes Surge: 10 Crore Indians Affected, What Changed in 50 Years?

• A 2023 study by ICMR and MDRF in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology reveals 11.4% of Indians (10.1 crore) live with diabetes.
• An additional 15.3% (13.6 crore) are in the prediabetic stage, highlighting a significant public health challenge.
• A viral online debate questions the drastic increase from less than 3% 50 years ago to over 11% today, despite similar genes.
• Users attribute the rise to changes in food habits (processed foods, larger portions), sedentary lifestyles, and increased detection.
• Major concerns include undiagnosed cases, leading to complications like nerve damage, kidney failure, retinopathy, and higher risk of heart attacks.

Why It Matters: India faces a diabetes epidemic with 10 crore affected, driven by lifestyle changes and increased processed food consumption.