It is a country known for the diversity of its people and their diet. Yet increasing incomes and larger servings of bad quality food (including fast food such as pizza and burgers) have sparked a huge increase in the number of diabetes cases in India. Like many other countries around the world, the health care system could face a huge burden.
India is known for its enormous population, and also as one of the diabetes hotspots of the world. The country, with a population of 1.1 billion half of whom are under 25, has over 35 million diabetics . This figure is expected to double in the next 25 years according to the WHO (World Health Organisation.)
Spending on healthcare in India is traditionally low, and diabetes threatens to unbalance this, particularly when insulin is required. According to one expert from the regio, Indians are prone to diabetes because generations short on food have led to genetic changes, meaning that the body stores food as fat. Fat is a major risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes.
The number of doctors is low, with one per 1,600 people, and traditional Indian thinking on medical health could have a major impact on the diabetes situation if awareness is not raised soon.

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