A Public Health Crisis Driven by Obesity and Projected to Worsen

A recent study by Chinese public health experts estimates that China had approximately 233 million diabetic patients by 2023. This represents a significant increase of 163 percent compared to the year 2005. The research, published in the June issue of the journal Military Medical Research, was led by Zhou Maigeng from the National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study revealed a substantial rise in diabetes prevalence. Compared to 2005, the prevalence increased by almost 50 percent, reaching 13.7 percent in 2023, up from 7.53 percent. Projections indicate that if the current trend continues, the national prevalence could reach 29.1 percent by 2050.

The study emphasized the significant health burden and economic costs associated with diabetes. Researchers stressed the urgent need to expand preventive measures and improve public awareness to enhance disease management and improve treatment outcomes.

The research also indicated that males generally exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes than females. Furthermore, Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai were identified as the cities with the highest diabetes prevalence and disease burden.

The increase in diabetes prevalence was closely linked to the rapid rise in obesity rates. The prevalence of obesity among adults increased from 7.1 percent in 2002 to 16.4 percent between 2015 and 2019. However, researchers projected that with effective policies to curb the obesity epidemic, the prevalence will stabilize and remain below 15 percent nationally by 2050.

Experts highlighted the various complications associated with diabetes, which can affect multiple organ systems. These complications include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases, and liver and kidney conditions. In 2021, diabetes and high fasting plasma glucose were responsible for 6.47 percent of total years lived with disability in China, making it the fourth-highest risk factor for disease burden. The economic costs associated with diabetes are also substantial. Without immediate intervention, the total cost associated with diabetes in the country is projected to reach $460 billion in 2030.