By TCN News
A study published in the latest issue of an international journal suggests that Muslims living in coastal Karnataka are at a higher risk of developing diabetes.
The study conducted by a team of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and published in International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries surveyed people living in coastal Karnataka to estimate the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 30 years and above.
The study identified increasing age, Muslims, a skilled or professional job, sedentary lifestyle, positive family history of diabetes, history of current hypertension, and being overweight or obese as having significant indicators for being diabetic. Journal paper did not offer any explanation for its findings.
Karnataka Muslims: high risk of diabetes
Study involved community-based survey over a period of 15 months (from August 2006 – October 2007) of 1,239 individuals (434 males and 805 females) of aged 30 years and above. Selected individuals were tested for their fasting glucose level using a glucometer. A reading of equal or greater than 110 mg/dl blood glucose was considered as diabetic.
Of the total study subjects, 85.6% were Hindus, 8.6% Muslims, and 5.7% Christians. The literate proportion in the sample was 81.2%, out of whom 75.9% were females and 91% were males.
18.8% of males and 14.4% of females were found to be diabetic.
Research team consisted of Chythra R. Rao, Veena G. Kamath, Avinash Shetty, and Asha Kamath, all belonging to Kasturba Medical College’s Department of Community Medcine.
World population of individuals with diabetes is expected to increase to 300 million by 2024, according to the World Health Organization. Much of this increase is estimated to come from India.
Prevention:
To prevent type 2 diabetes maintain ideal body weight, eat healthy food, and exercise on a regular basis.
Symptoms:
Blurry vision, fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss.
Link:
http://www.diabetesindia.com/