1 in 25 youths unaware of existing diabetes
Mahmuda Begum Sinthia :
The World Diabetes Day was observed across awareness-theme ‘Raise diabetes awareness in the workplace’ on Friday and the day is a strong reminder to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and control.
A 2025 study by CGHR revealed that one in every 25 young people in this age group suffers from diabetes. Alarmingly, half of these young patients are unaware that they have the disease. The actual number of diabetes patients in Bangladesh may be higher because more than half are unaware they have the disease.
Diabetes affects young people early. Urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, fast food, processed foods, lack of physical activity, and rice-dependent diets are the main drivers behind the rise in diabetes. Lack of playgrounds and parks for children is causing physical inactivity, resulting in obesity and increased diabetes risk. In 2024, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported that 13.9 million people in the country are affected by diabetes. According to the latest census, the population of individuals aged 18 to 35 is 55 million.
Data from the Bangladesh Endocrine Society reveals that 8-10per cent of the adult population in the country, around 13 million people, are affected by diabetes. Just two decades ago, the rate was 4-5per cent. Experts predict the number of cases could surpass 20 million by 2045, making Bangladesh one of the top ten countries in the world with the highest diabetes burden.
There remains a clear divide between urban and rural areas in diabetes prevalence. In cities, 12-15per cent of people have diabetes, compared to 6-8per cent in rural areas. However, the gap is narrowing rapidly due to the influx of fast food, sugary drinks, and sedentary lifestyles in rural regions. Additionally, 20-25per cent of adults have prediabetes, placing them at high risk.
According to data from the Bangladesh Endocrine Society, three out of four urban workers, or 75per cent, are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Yet, awareness initiatives at workplaces are almost nonexistent. Some say that stress at work is the reason their diabetes developed, something they didn’t have before.
Experts emphasise that regular health check-ups, mental health support, access to healthy food, and opportunities for physical exercise at workplaces would benefit not only employees but also the organizations themselves in the long run.
Dr. Faruk Pathan, Academic Director of BIRDEM General Hospital, said that without employees’ good health, productivity and feedback will decline, which will hurt the economy.
The daily job routine reflects the lives of many city workers, where health awareness is often neglected amid constant work pressure. The risk of diabetes is also rising.
Several working men and women have reported that their health is deteriorating due to work pressure. They suffer from diabetes, obesity, and various other health issues. Many feel fatigued quickly and experience breathlessness because of diabetes.
Professor Dr. Shahela Nasrin, CEO of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital, suggested installing some free-hand exercise equipment at workplaces and allowing employees a 5 to 10-minute break every hour to walk around, which would help them stay fitter.
Doctors also warn that diabetes affects not only individuals but also presents social and economic challenges. Workers spend about 60per cent of their active daytime hours at work. The nature of the job, prolonged sitting, and irregular eating habits continuously increase the risk of diabetes.
Experts agree that making workplaces healthier could significantly advance diabetes prevention.