State set to rank top in diabetic table soon

KOCHI: Kerala will soon top the diabetes table in the country with 12 to 14 per cent of the population in the state being diagnosed with the disease.According to endocrinologists, though Kerala is on a par with Chandigarh, which now tops the diabetes table, the state will soon be on top of the list. “In Kerala, 12 to 14 per cent of the population have diabetes. This is on a higher side when compared to other states. This is also higher when compared to the US average of 6 to 8 per cent,” Dr Tom Babu of Silverline hospital says.  Noting that one could not say whether the number of diabetes patients is more in men or women, he said women are not diagnosed properly when compared to men.“This has led to the wrong notion that there is a higher prevalence of diabetes in men than women,” Dr Babu says. He added that there was a need to create awareness among women.Dr A G Unnikrishnan, endocrinologist at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, said the drastic change in lifestyle had led to the widespread of diabetes in the state. He noted that in cities like Kochi, almost one in five adults have diabetes.    “The urban life promotes a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods. Urbanisation could also lead to obesity which can predispose to diabetes,” they noted. Dr Babu pointed out that 6 to 7 per cent of pregnant women were diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. “In 60 per cent of women with gestational diabetes mellitus, it is developed in the later stages of their life. There is a need to watch these women closely. They should go for regular checkups,” he added.