Diabetes: a challenge for China in the 21st century

Diabetes has become one of the most challenging public health problems in China, characterised by rapid rates of increase in prevalence within short periods, and disease onset at a comparatively young age and low BMI. A national survey in 2007 of 46 239 adults (≥20 years of age) from 14 provinces showed that the age-standardised prevalence of total diabetes was 9·6%, representing 98·4 million adults with the disease. 1 International Diabetes FederationIDF Diabetes Atlas. 6th edn. International Diabetes Federation, Brussels2013 Google Scholar Major changes in lifestyle, including overnutrition, long-term sedentary occupations, and insufficient physical activity, contribute hugely to the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes, especially in modern cities. A cross-sectional 3-year follow-up study in urban communities of Shanghai from 2000 to 2003 showed that the cumulative incidence rates of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation were 4·96% and 11·10%, respectively, showing that diabetes has become a major problem in China. 2 Jia WP Pang C Chen L et al. Epidemiological characteristics of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose regulation in a Chinese adult population: the Shanghai Diabetes Studies, a cross-sectional 3-year follow-up study in Shanghai urban communities. Diabetologia. 2007; 50: 286-292 Crossref PubMed Scopus (186) Google Scholar