Why are more young Indians developing diabetes, and why should they get screened before symptoms appear? Doctors at Kamineni Hospitals are urging people to prioritise early blood sugar screening, particularly those with a family history of diabetes, obesity or a sedentary lifestyle.
Ahead of World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, the hospital has highlighted the growing diabetes burden in India and warned that delayed diagnosis can increase the risk of serious complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Rising Diabetes Cases Highlight Need for Early Detection
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2026–27, “Early Action on Diabetes,” emphasises early diagnosis, identifying individuals at risk and ensuring timely access to medical care.
According to estimates from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 589 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, and this number could reach 830 million by 2050. Moreover, nearly four in 10 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for greater awareness and regular screening.
India faces a significant challenge, with more than 100 million people living with diabetes and approximately 136 million having prediabetes. These figures underline the importance of identifying people at risk before the condition progresses.
Doctors Warn Against Ignoring Early Diabetes Signs
Dr. Bhavani, Senior Consultant Diabetologist at Kamineni Hospitals, said that many people remain unaware of their diabetes until routine health check-ups or the development of complications.
Common warning signs include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue. However, diabetes can also develop without noticeable symptoms.
Therefore, individuals with a family history of diabetes, excess body weight, a sedentary lifestyle or a history of gestational diabetes should consult their doctors about appropriate screening. Early diagnosis can help initiate timely treatment and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits Increase Diabetes Risk Among Young Adults
Doctors at Kamineni Hospitals have observed more young adults presenting with prediabetes, diabetes, overweight and obesity during outpatient consultations.
Several lifestyle factors contribute to this growing concern, including prolonged sitting, limited physical activity, irregular eating schedules, frequent consumption of processed foods and inadequate sleep.
Dr. B. Sravya, Consultant Endocrinologist at Kamineni Hospitals, noted that diabetes is no longer limited to older adults, as younger individuals are increasingly showing elevated blood sugar levels and metabolic health concerns.
She highlighted that prediabetes should be treated as an important warning sign rather than dismissed as a minor laboratory finding. Furthermore, timely lifestyle changes, weight management, regular exercise and appropriate medical guidance can help prevent or delay the progression to Type 2 diabetes in many individuals.
Newer Diabetes Treatments Expand Management Options
Diabetes treatment has advanced considerably, offering patients several medication and monitoring options. Along with conventional oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin therapy, newer drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have expanded treatment choices for selected patients, particularly those requiring weight management and metabolic risk reduction.
However, doctors emphasise that treatment should be individualised according to each patient’s medical condition, associated illnesses and healthcare needs.
Early Screening and Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent Complications
Doctors stress that people should not wait for symptoms or complications before checking their blood sugar levels. Instead, greater awareness, timely screening and consistent medical care can help protect long-term health.
Kamineni Hospitals has urged the public to use World Diabetes Day as an opportunity to assess their diabetes risk and seek medical advice about screening, especially those with a family history of diabetes, overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, previous gestational diabetes or other metabolic risk factors. As per the hospital’s press release, early screening, healthier lifestyle choices and timely medical intervention remain essential to addressing the growing diabetes burden among younger Indians and reducing the risk of long-term complications.