Why in NEWS
A study by The Lancet Global Health using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) revealed that at least one in five Indians aged 45 and above had diabetes in 2019. Alarmingly, about 40% of these individuals were unaware of their condition, highlighting significant gaps in diagnosis and awareness.
Key Terms/Facts
| Key Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | A chronic non-communicable disease where insulin production or usage is impaired, causing blood sugar imbalance. |
| Insulin | A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. |
| Hyperglycaemia | High blood sugar caused by insufficient insulin activity. |
| Hypoglycaemia | Low blood sugar caused by excessive insulin or other factors. |
| Type 1 Diabetes | Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, requiring daily insulin; mainly in children/young adults. |
| Type 2 Diabetes | Insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production; linked to lifestyle and genetics; accounts for >95% of cases. |
| Gestational Diabetes | High blood sugar during pregnancy, increasing health risks for mother and child, and Type 2 risk later. |
| Type 5 Diabetes | A newly recognized form caused by malnutrition damaging pancreatic cells, affecting lean teens and young adults. |
Details
- Diabetes causes include failure of insulin production or improper use of insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) or in some cases, too much insulin causing low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
- Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune, requiring daily insulin, and mostly affects younger people.
- Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance or low production, often linked to obesity, inactivity, and genetics, and is preventable through lifestyle changes.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and increases risks for both mother and child, along with future Type 2 diabetes.
- Type 5 diabetes is a recent discovery, affecting underweight teens and young adults due to malnutrition impacting pancreatic beta cells.
- India promotes healthy lifestyles through the Fit India Movement and population screenings at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
- The Central Board of Secondary Education mandates ‘sugar boards’ in schools to educate students about sugar content and related health risks.
In a nutshell
Diabetes is a complex condition with multiple types;
early detection and lifestyle changes are key to prevention and management.
The discovery of Type 5 diabetes highlights malnutrition’s role, even in lean individuals.
Prelims Questions
- What is the primary cause of Type 1 diabetes?
a) Insulin resistance
b) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells
c) Malnutrition
d) Excessive sugar intake - Which of the following initiatives in India targets diabetes awareness in schools?
a) Ayushman Bharat
b) Sugar boards mandated by CBSE
c) Fit India Movement
d) National Diabetes Control Program - What distinguishes Type 5 diabetes from Type 2 diabetes?
a) It occurs mainly in overweight adults
b) It is caused by malnutrition and affects lean youth
c) It is autoimmune in nature
d) It only occurs during pregnancy
Prelims Answers
| Question No. | Correct Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells | Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. |
| 2 | b) Sugar boards mandated by CBSE | CBSE requires schools to have sugar boards to educate students on sugar content and health risks. |
| 3 | b) It is caused by malnutrition and affects lean youth | Type 5 diabetes is linked to malnutrition and affects lean teens and young adults, unlike Type 2. |
