Nearly 1 in 5 Mumbaikars has diabetes, shows study

Mumbai: About 18% of Mumbaikars between 18 to 69 years were found with increased fasting blood glucose levels in a first-of-its-kind study carried out across the city's 24 wards, the civic body has revealed ahead of World Diabetes Day today. The 2021 survey findings released on Sunday underlined the consistently high prevalence of diabetes in the city, prompting experts to call for urgent measures to prevent, diagnose and treat cases.

With the World Health Organisation's support, the BMC carried out the STEPS survey, where the fasting blood sugar levels of more than 6,000 people were checked. The report found 18% with raised fasting blood glucose levels of more than 126 mg/dl (normal: 70-99) in both men and women. Carried out in steps, the survey probes into behavioural factors, followed by physical measurements of height, weight and blood pressure, and finally, testing of blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

The numbers were consistent with the NFHS-5 report of 2019-20 that found 17% women and 18% men above 15 with random blood glucose levels greater than 140mg/dl.

Dr Shashank Joshi, chair of the International Diabetes Federation South Asia, said the numbers are in sync with previous studies that one in five Mumbaikars is a diabetic, but is likely to be an under-representation still. "Upto 50% of people living with diabetes don't know they have diabetes," he told TOI. Previous surveys carried out in 2008 and 2011 had pegged Mumbai's diabetes prevalence at 8-10%, which has nearly doubled.

The corresponding impact is seen in the growing number of heart attacks and stroke deaths. Quoting the Civil Registration Data, BMC's executive health officer (EHO) Dr Mangala Gomare said that upto 14% of deaths in 2021 were attributed to diabetes. Heart diseases are responsible for 25% of deaths in Mumbai, and diabetes and hypertension are common underlying conditions there, she said.

Several other programmes in the city to check for non-communicable diseases (NCD) have returned high prevalence rates, said Dr Daksha Shah, joint EHO.

Emphasising lifestyle change, Dr Joshi said that people must try to clock at least 7,000 steps through the day and get seven to eight hours of sleep. "Lifestyle is not just dieting and exercise any more Sitting is the new smoking now. Brisk walking adds four years to your life," he said.