Published online Dec 9, 2024. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i4.91638
Revised: August 30, 2024
Accepted: September 25, 2024
Published online: December 9, 2024
Processing time: 303 Days and 4.3 Hours
Globally, obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are emergent public health concerns in the adolescent population. India, home to the largest adolescent population and the second largest diabetes cohort is experiencing rapid but unplanned urba
To determine prevalence and determinants of obesity and hyperglycaemia and their association among community-dwelling older adolescents (15-19 years) in India.
This cross-sectional analysis from the national family health survey-5 included data of 258028 adolescents aged 15-19 across India (2019-2021). The survey employed stratified two-stage sampling, with systematic random sampling in rural and urban areas. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression, employing generalized linear models.
The weighted prevalence of DM was 1.09% including 0.77% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.83] previously diagnosed and 0.32% (95%CI: 0.29-0.35) newly diagnosed cases detected on survey screening. On adjusted analysis, increasing age, higher education levels, higher wealth index, and overweight/obesity were the factors significantly associated with presence of DM. Only 61% of the adolescents with previously diagnosed DM were on anti-diabetes treatment. The weighted prevalence of overweight/obesity among older adolescents was 6.9% with significantly higher odds in the male sex, having higher educational levels, urban residence, and those with a higher wealth index.
Nearly one in hundred older adolescents in India have diabetes, with one in three undiagnosed. Strengthening DM screening and treatment access among adolescents through public health programs is urgently warranted.
Core Tip: In resource-limited settings, 3 in 10 older adolescents with diabetes (DM) are undiagnosed due to lack of screening while only 6 in 10 older adolescents previously diagnosed with DM utilize anti-diabetes medication. Primary care physicians including paediatricians in outpatient settings should necessarily screen older adolescents with family history or those who are overweight or obese for DM. Furthermore, they should advise older adolescents to engage in regular physical activity and exercise to maintain normal body weight even in the absence of hyperglycaemia. Finally, medication adherence in older adolescents with DM should be assessed during each appointment accompanied with regular counselling.