World Diabetes Day: India’s youth face a silent epidemic as poor diets fuel rising cases

A 2025 study in The Lancet found that diabetes prevalence among Indians aged 45 and older was 19.8 per cent nearly 50.4 million people with urban rates almost double those in rural areas. This is not the only study to have raised an alarm as India is often called the “diabetes capital of the world.” Another study, published in journal Nature based on a nationally representative sample of 51,315 non-diabetic adults aged 45 years and above found that “41.2% had a high risk of type-2 diabetes”.

Doctors say diabetes is also becoming a “silent killer” among the youth in India. Earlier thought to be an adult-onset condition, it is also now prevalent among the youth, largely due to unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and the increasing stress in the urban environments.

Urban diets and lifestyle triggers

Dr Sunita Kapoor, Director & Laboratory Head, City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, says a sharp rise in insulin resistance is being seen among teenagers. “Most of these cases are linked to large intakes of sweetened beverages, fast food, and processed snacks,” she notes. Traditional nutritious meals are being replaced by convenience foods, weakening metabolic health at a young age.

Agreeing with her, Dr Monika Sharma, Senior Consultant – Endocrinology, Aakash Healthcare said that parents often dismiss early signs such as fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination as normal growth changes  when in fact, they may signal emerging insulin resistance.

Dr Sandeep Kharb, Senior Consultant  (Endocrinology, Asian Hospital) observes that “urban youth diets are dominated by high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Fast-food marketing, easy availability and peer influence have normalised unhealthy eating. Schools and families must work together to promote nutrition education and healthier habits.”

Dr Vineet Rao, Consultant (Internal Medicine & Diabetologist) at Jupiter Hospital (Pune) stresses daily lifestyle modification: reduce sugary drinks and refined carbs, increase fibre through fruits and vegetables and ensure 45-60 minutes of physical activity each day. Regular check-ups are vital, particularly for children with a family history of diabetes.

Hormones and blood sugar in women: Early warnings and prevention

Diabetes is closely tied to women’s hormonal health from pregnancy to menopause. Gestational diabetes during pregnancy, PCOS-related insulin resistance, and post-menopausal hormonal shifts all increase long-term metabolic risk.

Dr Manini Patel, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Jaipur, notes: “Diabetes in women is often diagnosed late because symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or irregular periods seem mild. Regular check-ups and balanced lifestyles can prevent both gestational and type 2 diabetes.”

Dr Ritika Prasad, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Regency Hospital, Gorakhpur, adds: “Hormonal health and blood sugar are deeply interconnected. Monitoring sugar levels and maintaining a balanced diet during PCOS or gestational diabetes helps control the disease early.”

Experts recommend whole grains, seasonal fruits, green vegetables, proteins, and daily exercise such as walking or yoga to maintain hormonal balance and regulate blood sugar.

Rising cases in children under 14

Dr Manisha Arora, Director – Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, calls the growing incidence of diabetes in children “deeply concerning.” Childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and excessive screen time have doubled global cases in recent years.

“The rising number of diabetes cases among children under 14 years of age is deeply concerning and, in fact, quite alarming. Globally, studies show that the incidence of diabetes among children and adolescents has nearly doubled, from 25% to 49%, in recent years, with Type 2 diabetes now surpassing Type 1 in several regions. This shift, occurring at such a young age, signals a serious public health challenge,” she said.

Sje further said that the primary driver behind this trend is childhood-onset obesity, which has become a major global health concern. “The problem is fuelled by an obesogenic environment, where easy access to calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and sedentary lifestyles dominate daily routines. Family dynamics have also changed significantly, with both parents working, children often rely on convenience foods that are high in sugar and fat,” she added.

Excessive screen time compounds the issue. Instead of playing outdoors, many children spend hours sitting indoors, snacking on chips, sugary drinks, and fast foods while engaging with gadgets. This combination of poor diet, lack of physical activity, and sedentary behavior increases the risk of obesity and, subsequently, Type 2 diabetes.

Dr Swati Kanodia, Consultant – Paediatric Endocrinology, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, explains that type 2 diabetes, once rare in children, is now rising sharply due to poor diet and lack of exercise. She emphasises early detection and healthy routines, balanced diets, outdoor play and adequate sleep as key prevention measures.

Listening to your body

Dr Subraham Pany, MBBS, MD, PGD Geriatric Medicine, Jindal Aarogyam, Angul, reminds that subtle signs like thirst, fatigue, or frequent urination should not be ignored. “Diabetes is not only about avoiding sugar, but about understanding our bodies and how our overall lifestyle affects blood sugar levels, eventually contributing to long-term health. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are common but preventable diseases that require active efforts towards its management. Regular screenings, balanced diet, physical activity, and adherence to prescribed medication can help individuals lead healthy lives,” he says.

Screening surge and early-onset trends in adults

Diagnostic data from Mahajan Imaging & Labs show a sharp rise in glucose and metabolic screenings among adults under 40 in 2025, revealing that nearly 38 percent had abnormal fasting glucose levels.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chair & Head – Endocrinology & Diabetes, Max Healthcare, highlights that early screenings can identify metabolic changes before complications occur. ““India finds itself at a critical juncture in its diabetes response, where the sheer scale of young-adult onset is now meeting the tools to intervene early. It is crucial that everyone, especially those aged 25 and above, undergo at least an annual screening to catch early metabolic changes and act before complications develop. Alongside regular testing, adopting a balanced diet rich in fibre, whole grains, and traditional foods such as millets can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and help maintain long-term metabolic health,” he said.

Dr Harsh Mahajan, Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging & Labs said that more young adults are showing early insulin resistance despite appearing fit. “We are witnessing a clear metabolic shift in India’s younger population. People in their twenties and thirties, who appear fit, are showing early signs of insulin resistance. More of them are getting tested early, an encouraging sign that prevention is finally being taken seriously. Diabetes is not just a blood glucose value; it reflects a broader metabolic imbalance. Left unchecked, it can lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputations and fatty liver. Blood glucose, like blood pressure, can serve as an early warning sign.”

“Modern diagnostic tools, including fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, fructosamine, C-peptide, adiponectin and leptin, MODY genetic tests, autoantibody screening, and continuous glucose monitoring with HbA1c, allow early detection of insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. Integrating these tests with routine screening enables timely intervention, helping young adults prevent long-term complications,” he added.

Integrating traditional glucose tests with molecular markers and liver or bone health assessments can detect risk years in advance, transforming India’s preventive strategy, Dr Shelly Mahajan, Lab Director & Clinical Lead, Mahajan Imaging & Labs added.