Diabetes cases soar, but trend reversible

With cases of diabetes rising significantly over the past 18 years, Chinese medical experts are urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

A recent study found that 233 million people in China had diabetes as of 2023, a 163 percent increase from 2005.

The study, led by Zhou Maigeng, deputy director of the National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, was published in the June issue of the journal Military Medical Research.

In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that China had around 141 million people with diabetes, accounting for one-fourth of the global diabetic population.

Since 2005, the incidence rate of diabetes in China has climbed nearly 50 percent, rising from 7.53 percent that year to 13.7 percent in 2023, the study found. If the trend continues, the national incidence rate could reach 29.1 percent by 2050.

Zhang Jinping, chief physician of the endocrinology department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, said the rising prevalence is closely tied to unhealthy diets, limited physical activity and reduced exposure to sunlight.

"Increased consumption of high-fat, high-calorie and high-carbohydrate foods, coupled with declining outdoor activities and reduced sunlight exposure, have contributed to a surge in the number of overweight and obese people. These are key risk factors for diabetes," Zhang said.

The study also found that the rise in diabetes has paralleled a rapid increase in obesity. Among adults, obesity rose from 7.1 percent in 2002 to 16.4 percent during the 2015-19 period.

"That's why China announced in June last year that it will launch a three-year campaign aimed at spreading awareness about weight management and healthy lifestyles through a friendly social environment," Zhang said.

In March, Lei Haichao, minister of China's National Health Commission, warned that excess weight increases the risk of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer.

China's aging population is also a contributing factor, as elderly individuals are more prone to developing diabetes due to metabolic changes and other age-related health issues, Zhang added.

Diabetes poses serious health risks and is often referred to as "the invisible killer" because damage can occur before symptoms appear. It affects multiple organs and the immune system, leading to complications involving the eyes, kidneys and heart, she said.

However, the study concluded that with effective countermeasures, the incidence rate of diabetes could be reduced by nearly half and potentially be held below 15 percent by 2050.

To help curb the trend, Zhang recommends adopting sustainable health habits. "People should eat more whole grains, adopt a high-protein diet and reduce the consumption of sugary drinks," she said. "Getting adequate sleep is also important, as chronic sleep loss harms insulin production."

She also stressed the importance of managing stress and not skipping regular health checkups.

Zhang noted some positive signs: Young people are spending more time exercising, drinking less alcohol and avoiding smoking. Meanwhile, advancements in medicine and technology are offering new tools for diabetes management.

"Unlike traditional insulin, a hormone produced by beta cells to regulate blood sugar, a new synthetic version allows for extended dosing intervals, requiring subcutaneous injection only once a week," she said.

In addition, insulin pumps — small, programmable medical devices that deliver continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions to mimic the function of a healthy pancreas — offer greater flexibility and convenience. These devices make it easier to adjust insulin delivery for meals, physical activity and lifestyle changes, eliminating the need for frequent injections, Zhang said.