‘Chandigarh has become diabetes capital of India’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 13

"Earlier, India had dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world. But currently, with the available data, China is the diabetes capital of the world." Unfortunately, Chandigarh has become the diabetes capital of India," said Prof Anil Bhansali, Head, Department of Endocrinology, PGI.

He said in the recent survey by the ICMR-INDIAB, it was shown that Chandigarh had got a prevalence of diabetes around 15 per cent, which is the highest among any states and UTs in the country. "Increased urbanisation, consumption of calorie-dense food, adaptation of sedentary lifestyle and rising obesity are the main reasons behind the increasing prevalence of diabetes. Moreover, economic transition from lower to higher socio-economic strata has also contributed to increased burden of diabetes," he added.  

He further said, "Though Chandigarh has the highest per capita income and literacy rate of 98 per cent, a high prevalence of diabetes was observed. A massive drive is to be launched to curtail the increasing menace of diabetes, which should include annual screening programme, promotion of physical activity, early diagnosis, rapid and intensive treatment of diabetes, treatment of other co-morbidities such as hypertension and cholesterol. This is important to prevent a catastrophe in future."