WHY INDIA IS KNOWN AS THE "DIABETES CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"

India is grappling with a silent epidemic, often referred to as the “diabetes capital of the world.

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”With over 77 million adults living with diabetes and projections estimating a rise to 134 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the country faces a significant public health challenge. The high prevalence of diabetes in India stems from a complex interplay of genetic, lifestyle, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Understanding these drivers is crucial for addressing this growing crisis.

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION

One of the primary reasons for the high diabetes rates in India is genetic susceptibility. South Asians, including Indians, have a higher genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of diabetes cases in the country. Studies, such as those published in Nature Genetics, have identified specific gene variants, like those in the TCF7L2 gene, that increase the risk of diabetes in Indian populations. This genetic makeup leads to impaired insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance, making Indians more vulnerable to diabetes even at lower body mass indices (BMIs) compared to other ethnic groups. The "thrifty gene hypothesis" suggests that South Asians evolved to store fat efficiently for survival during periods of food scarcity, which, in modern times, contributes to obesity and diabetes when coupled with abundant calorie-rich diets.

LIFESTYLE SHIFTS AND URBANIZATION