You know what? Diabetes has become one of the most common chronic diseases in the country. According to the latest data from the china diabetes control guide (2024 edition), the prevalence of diabetes among people over the age of 18 has reached 12. 4 per cent, meaning that about one in eight adults is a diabetic. Even more worrying is the fact that the rate of awareness of diabetes in the country is only 36. 7 per cent, with more than 60 per cent of the patients unaware of their disease; the rate of treatment is 32. 9 per cent, the control rate is 50. 1 per cent and the overall level of control remains low。
Diabetes mellitus in my country is dominated by type 2 diabetes, accounting for more than 90 per cent, and type 1 diabetes is only a minority. In terms of population distribution, men have higher prevalence rates than women, urban areas are higher than rural areas, and economically developed regions are higher than less developed regions. It is alarming to note that the rate of undiagnosed diabetes is as high as 63. 3 per cent, and that many people do not seek medical treatment until they experience complications and miss the best opportunity for intervention。
Obesity is the most important risk factor for diabetes. Data show that the prevalence of diabetes among the obese population of bmi≥30kg/m2 is close to 20%, nearly three times higher than that of the normal body weight population. In addition, urbanization, ageing, sitting tight, high-oil sugar diets, environmental pollution and genetic susceptibility are important reasons for the rapid growth of diabetes in our country。
Unlike in western countries, type 2 diabetes has its own characteristics: thin body size or disease, insulin β-cell function is more likely to decline, and post-eating blood sugar increases. It also reminds us not only about weight, but also about blood sugar indicators。
Diabetes is not a “geriatric disease” and there has been a significant increase in recent years in type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents, which is closely related to obesity, high-calorie diet and lack of exercise. At the same time, the prevalence rate among the elderly is higher, at 23. 9 per cent for those aged 60-69 and 27. 3 per cent for those aged 70 and over。
In the face of a critical control situation, the guidelines emphasize that early screening, early diagnosis and early intervention are the most cost-effective tools. The general population should start screening from the age of 35, and the high-risk population should be screened earlier. Diabetes is preventable, and awareness-raising, proactive screening and scientific management can significantly reduce the risk of disease and complications。
