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Diabetes Is A Major Global Health Crisis

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Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is emerging as a serious health challenge and has become a major global health crisis. This is especially true in the case of developing countries like India, where a combination of rapid urbanization, increasing sedentary lifestyles and a switch in nutrition has made it the centre of this epidemic. In 2000, India (31.7 million) topped the world with the highest number of people with diabetes mellitus. According to Wild et al.3 the prevalence of diabetes is predicted to double globally from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030 with a maximum increase in India. With stakes so high, India faces an uncertain future in regards to the burden of the disease. With identification of factors controlling diabetes and with adequate research into preventative care there may be some hope. Diabetes Mellitus is a disease where there is an increased amount of sugar in the blood than normal. By far, the most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, accounting for 95% of diabetes cases in adults. Some 26 million American adults have been diagnosed with the disease. Type 2 Diabetes in particular is a largely ‘lifestyle disease’ that is strongly associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and weight gain, particularly around the waist. Type 2 diabetes may be prevented in most cases, but it cannot be cured. Significance The significance of rising levels of diabetes in India is related to the increasing burden of disease. India is considered the

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