By IANS
New Delhi : Hyderabad has emerged as the Indian metro city with the highest incidence of diabetes, leaving behind the usual suspects like Delhi and Mumbai, according to a new study.
In a paper brought out by the industry lobby, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), titled ‘Epidemic of New Millennium – Diabetes’, Hyderabad has emerged as the most diabetic metro city followed by Chennai.
The study found that 11.6 percent of the Delhi population and 9.3 percent people of Mumbai suffer from this disease.
“In Hyderabad and Kolkata, the number of diabetic patients is estimated at 16.6 percent and 11.7 percent of their total population,” said the study released Tuesday.
While 12.4 percent of the Bangalore population are diabetic, in Chennai the figure is estimated at 13.5 percent.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised mainly by high blood sugar. It is one of the most common forms of non-communicable diseases worldwide and the fourth leading cause of death in the developed world.
The ailment can affect various parts of the body, including blood vessels, heart, kidney, eye, food and nerves.
The industry lobby said unless Indians change their food and lifestyle habits, it will be home to 57 millions of diabetes patients by 2025, up from the current 25 million.
The paper also estimates that by the year 2025, the number of people with diabetes is expected to increase in developed countries by 41 percent from 51 million now to 72 million, and by 170 percent in developing countries, that is, from 84 million to 228 million.
As compared to India, the US and China have less diabetic patients: 17 million in China and 14 million in the US.