Since 1990, the number of diabetes cases has increased fourfold - here are the four reasons why.

The number of people worldwide with diabetes has quadrupled in the past two decades, with 830 million people diagnosed as of 2022, according to a new study published in The Lancet.

The number of people with the disease has more than quadrupled since 1990, as announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

According to the source, over half of those with diabetes are not taking medication to manage it.

In low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment is limited, the disease has spread more rapidly.

Nearly half of the 1.6 million deaths caused by diabetes in 2021 occurred before the age of 70, according to the WHO.

Another 530,000 related deaths were attributed to kidney disease.

Why the spike?

The ADA has listed four reasons for the rise in diabetes cases.

1. Diet

The ADA stated that consuming a diet high in fat and processed sugar can increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

In particular, the organization recommends drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.

2. Lack of physical activity

The ADA asserts that not engaging in physical activity at least three times a week can increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

It is advised that adults in America engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise and at least two days of muscle-strengthening activities, as recommended by experts.

3. Being overweight or obese

Despite the fact that having excess weight can increase the likelihood of developing diabetes, the ADA states that many diabetes patients are of normal weight or only slightly overweight.

According to WHO, in 2022, one out of every eight individuals globally was suffering from obesity.

4. Family history

The ADA stated that having a family member with type 2 diabetes can increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

The increase in obesity, compounded by the marketing of unhealthy food, lack of physical activity, and economic hardship, has led to an "alarming rise" in diabetes, according to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Rising obesity rates and high-sugar diets go hand in hand, experts say.

The spike in health issues is mainly due to poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyles, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who face challenges such as inaccessibility and affordability of healthy food, which has been worsened by inflation, as stated by Dr. Arti Masturzo, chief medical officer at CCS, an Ohio-based company that simplifies holistic chronic care management for patients.

Not everyone can afford healthy food and gym memberships due to their high cost, especially if they live in rural areas, as she stated on Planet Chronicle Digital.

Jessica M. Kelly, a registered dietitian nutritionist from Pennsylvania, highlighted convenience foods as a possible suspect.

The convenience of ordering food from home has likely contributed to an increase in the number of adults with diabetes, according to a Planet Chronicle Digital report.

An increase in sedentary lifestyles is also a key contributing factor.

Masturzo stated that our society has become increasingly sedentary due to various reasons, including longer work hours and excessive use of technology, such as social media.

Diabetes led to 1.6 million deaths in 2021, with nearly half of them occurring before 70 years of age.

In 2022, approximately one-third of adults globally did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, as stated by the WHO.

Family history, age and ethnicity can also raise diabetes risk.

What needs to change?

The global diabetes epidemic can only be controlled if countries act urgently, according to WHO's Tedros.

"Policies that promote healthy diets and physical activity, as well as health systems that offer prevention, early detection, and treatment, are crucial."

To decrease diabetes rates, Masturzo suggests that regulators must "increase their efforts to enforce healthy food choices."

She highlighted that several countries have more advanced regulations regarding food additives and labels compared to the U.S.

"We must identify new ways to make healthier food more affordable for all, especially for food manufacturers and fast-food restaurants as a country."

Kelly advises diabetes patients to collaborate with a registered dietitian to establish "enduring eating habits that promote blood sugar regulation and maintenance."

"To bring the global diabetes epidemic under control, countries must urgently take action."

She stated that increasing physical activity can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Along with Thursday's call to action, WHO unveiled a "global monitoring framework on diabetes" to assist countries in assessing and improving diabetes prevention and care.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that monitoring crucial metrics such as blood sugar control, high blood pressure, and access to vital medications can help nations enhance targeted treatments and government programs.