NEW DELHI: Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday said Diabetes is no longer a rich man's problem and has affected four to five percent of the rural population in the country.
"Diabetes was considered to be a rich man's disease. But it is no longer so. Around four to five per cent of the rural population in India is suffering from this mother of all diseases," said the minister, while inaugurating the Health and Family Welfare pavilion at the India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan here.
He said November 14 is observed as World Diabetes Day and India has been seen as diabetes capital of the world.
"Around 11 to 12 per cent of the urban population in India is suffering from diabetes. But in Delhi, 15 to 20 per cent are diabetic. It is a silent epidemic," he said.
"We have to change our lifestyle and develop healthy food habits. Junk food is one of the causes of diabetes being seen in children," he said.
Ramadoss said awareness camps should be set-up to create awareness about the disease.
According to studies, diabetes has reached unprecedented epidemic levels with approximately 230 million people worldwide being affected.
This figure is predicted to rise to 350 million by 2025.
In India, an estimated 31.7 million people are diabetic and it is expected to rise to almost 80 million by 2030.
Source www.indianpad.com
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