Diabetes - epidemiology

  • Approximately 463 million adults (20-79 years) were living with diabetes; by 2045 this will rise to 700 million
  • The proportion of people with type 2 diabetes is increasing in most countries
  • 79% of adults with diabetes were living in low- and middle-income countries
  • 1 in 5 of the people who are above 65 years old have diabetes
  • 1 in 2 (232 million) people with diabetes were undiagnosed
  • Diabetes caused 4.2 million deaths
  • More than 1.1 million children and adolescents are living with type 1 diabetes
  • More than 20 million live births (1 in 6 live births) are affected by diabetes during pregnancy
  • 374 million people are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Diabetes in South - East Asia

  • 88 million adults (20-79) are living with diabetes in the IDF South-East Asia (SEA) Region in 2019. This figure is estimated to increase to 153 million by 2045. India alone accounts for 77 million adults
  • Over half of people with diabetes (57%) in the IDF SEA Region are undiagnosed.
  • Over half of people with diabetes (57%) in the IDF SEA Region are undiagnosed.
  • 1 in 4 live births in the IDF SEA Region are affected by hyperglycaemia in pregnancy.
  • USD 8.1 billion was spent on healthcare for people with diabetes in 2019 - the second lowest expenditure of all IDF regions.

Prevention:

While there are a number of factors that influence the development of type 2 diabetes, it is evident that the most influential are lifestyle behaviours commonly associated with urbanization. These include consumption of unhealthy foods and inactive lifestyles with sedentary behaviour. Studies from different parts of the world have established that lifestyle modification with physical activity and/or healthy diet can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Modern lifestyles are characterised by physical inactivity and long sedentary periods.

Physical activity at least between three to five days a week, for a minimum of 30-45 minutes.

Taking a life course perspective is essential for preventing type 2 diabetes and its complications. Intervention early in life through proper physical activity and dietary planning helps to prevent the development of overweight and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Healthy lifestyles can improve health outcomes at later stages of life as well.

Population based interventions and policies allow healthy choices through policies in trade, agriculture, transport and urban planning to become more accessible and easy. Healthy choices can be promoted in specific settings (school, workplace and home) and contribute to better health for everyone. They include exercising regularly and eating wisely which will help to maintain normal levels of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids.

Diabetes complications:

People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing a number of serious health problems. Consistently high blood glucose levels can lead to serious disease affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. In addition, people with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing infections. In almost all high-income countries, diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation.

Maintaining blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol at or close to normal can help delay or prevent diabetes complications. Therefore people with diabetes need regular monitoring.

News Update

 

Special situations: