Punjab is witnessing a worrying rise in blood sugar levels among both men and women, even as indicators related to blood pressure (BP) have improved, according to findings under the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6).
Sharp Increase in High Blood Sugar Levels
In NFHS-5, 5.8% of women had high blood sugar levels; the figure has now jumped to 7.9%. Very high sugar levels were reported in 8.0% of women earlier, but the latest survey places the number at 12.3%. Now, 22.3% of women fall in the high or very high category, up from 14.1% earlier.
Men show a similar trajectory. High sugar levels have risen from 6.2% to 9.1%, while very high levels have gone up from 7.0% to 11.9%. Now, 22.3% of men are in the high or very high category, compared to 14.1% earlier.
Experts Call for Mass Screening
Dr. Geeti Puri Arora, a member of the American Diabetes Association and the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, stressed the need for mass screening. “It should be mandatory to record random blood sugar levels on OPD slips in the same manner as blood pressure, weight and pulse are checked for every patient,” she said.
Dr. Arora noted that children as young as six months to 18 years are being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She attributed the growing burden of lifestyle diseases partly to changing eating habits and increased dependence on fast food and junk food, facilitated by food delivery apps. She also said fear of lifestyle changes often discouraged people from undergoing screening.
Blood Pressure Indicators Show Improvement
In contrast, blood pressure indicators have shown improvement. Among women, mildly elevated BP cases have dropped from 18.5% to 10.8%, and moderately elevated BP cases from 8.6% to 6.5%. Overall, 24.5% of women now fall in the elevated BP category, down from 31.2% earlier.
Among men, mildly elevated BP cases have reduced from 24.5% to 13.6%, and moderately high BP cases from 11% to 4.6%. The elevated BP category has fallen from 37.7% to 26.3%.
Cardiologist Advocates Early Education
Dr. Bishav Mohan, Chief Cardiologist and Coordinator of Hero DMC Heart Institute, said despite the improvement, “there is still a long way to go.” He advocated introducing lessons on lifestyle diseases at the school level to create awareness at an early age.
