The article implies that the BMC study was carried out under WHO oversight (World Health Organization).
According to a recent survey, one in five residents of Mumbai has diabetes. According to study results released on Sunday, between the ages of 18 and 69, roughly 18% of Mumbai residents had elevated fasting blood glucose levels. In 2021, 24 wards in Mumbai were the subject of a first-of-its-kind study, and the results were made public just days before World Diabetes Day. The Times of India reports that the new study has revealed the high prevalence of diabetes in the city, causing medical professionals to demand for immediate action to address the issue and work toward its prevention.
The article implies that the BMC study was carried out under WHO oversight (World Health Organization). Over 6,000 people participated in a STEPS survey, which measured the population’s fasting blood sugar levels. The final analysis revealed that both men and women with elevated blood glucose levels made up 18% of the population. A wide range of population characteristics were examined in the survey, including behavior, blood pressure, physical characteristics like height and weight, cholesterol level, and more.
The final outcome was discovered to be in line with a survey for the NFHS-5 report that was carried out in 2019–2020. Approximately 17% of women and 18% of males over the age of 15 were found to have elevated blood glucose levels as a result of the study.
Dr. Shashank Joshi, the chairperson of the International Diabetes Federation South Asia, emphasized how the study’s statistics were consistent with earlier studies that showed one in five residents of Mumbai has diabetes. What’s even more concerning is that this discovery might perhaps be an underestimate of the main issue. According to him, up to 50% of those who have diabetes are unaware of their condition.
The expert emphasized the fact that small lifestyle adjustments, such as increasing daily step count to over 7,000 and sleeping for seven to eight hours, might have a significant impact on the worrying numbers. A healthy lifestyle now includes more than just diet and exercise; sitting has replaced smoking. Brisk walking, he said, adds four years to your life.
What is attainable?
According to research, prediabetic adults who participate in a systematic lifestyle-change program that includes exercise and weight control can reduce their chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for those over 60). For people who are at high risk, taking part in the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The program, which is open to people 18 and older, is instructed by certified lifestyle coaches and promotes healthy, comprehensive changes to help participants address barriers to better nutrition, more physical activity, and stress-reduction coping mechanisms. By promoting healthy eating and increased physical activity, parents can also help reverse the prediabetes epidemic.
According to a new study, 1 in 5 Mumbai residents have diabetes.
