Understanding Diabetes:

A Global Perspective

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Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the body cannot effectively regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels.

This condition has emerged as a major public health concern worldwide. In India, the problem is especially severe—so much so that the country is often referred to as the “Diabetes Capital of the World.” Over 77 million Indian adults are currently living with type 2 diabetes, a number that continues to grow due to both genetic predisposition and rapid lifestyle changes.

Types of Diabetes

There are three primary forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type is usually diagnosed in children or young adults and requires lifelong insulin therapy for survival. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for the majority of diabetes cases, occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough of it. This form is most often linked to unhealthy lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, high-calorie diets, obesity, and stress. It typically develops later in life, though cases in younger populations are rising due to increasingly sedentary habits.