A pan-India survey, conducted by Metropolis Healthcare ahead of the ‘World Diabetes Day’ indicates that there is a high incidence of diabetes in males and females within the age group from 40 to 50 years. The survey has been conducted across three tests namely HbA1CGlycatedHaemoglobin- Blood by HPLC Method, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose which will help in determining abnormal glucose levels in both men and women.

With a total of 28, 79, 175 people screened, the survey spans five major cities namely Mumbai, Pune, Noida, Chennai and Bangalore. It has been observed that binging on high calorie sweets and snacks coupled with a sedentary lifestyle have made Indians more vulnerable to diabetes.

Additionally, as per a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) spanning four Indian states namely Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Chandigarh, 62.4 million people in India are afflicted with diabetes and another 77.2 million with pre-diabetes, reiterating the fact that India is the 'World's Diabetes Capital'.

It has been inferred that 30 per cent of the total number patients screened have been labelled with abnormal glucose levels. Additionally it has been observed that 40 per cent of the diabetic patients have been able to maintain satisfactory sugar levels as compared to the remaining 60 per cent with peculiarly high glucose levels.

In addition, the data highlights the fact that women in Mumbai are equally prone to diabetes as compared to men in Mumbai. In Noida, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai it has been observed that diabetes is predominant in males over females in the same age group i.e., ratio is 60:40 where the former is for males and latter for females. The inferences indicate that a similar pattern of abnormality in sugar levels has been noticed in west, south and north India.

Commenting on the survey, Dr Jatinder Bhatia, chief of Lab Services, projects – North India, Metropolis Healthcare said, “The incidence of diabetes is increasing in India affecting both males and females equally. Younger age groups too are falling easy prey to diabetes. This unhealthy trend is a direct result of a combination of over-eating, junk food and sedentary lifestyle.”

She further added that it is imperative for diabetic patients to get basic testing at regular intervals i.e. every three months.