Every year on November 14, the world comes together to observe World Diabetes Day, raising awareness about diabetes, its prevention, and the importance of timely care. The theme for 2025, “Diabetes across life stages,” emphasizes the need to ensure that everyone living with diabetes has the knowledge and resources to manage the condition effectively. The campaign also highlights early diagnosis and the role of community-based healthcare in preventing complications. 1
The day marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin in 1921, a breakthrough that transformed diabetes treatment worldwide.
The International Diabetes Federation reports that over one in nine adults worldwide, or around 590 million people aged 20 to 79, are living with diabetes.
About 40 percent of these individuals remain undiagnosed, revealing a major global health concern.
Type 2 diabetes makes up more than 90 percent of all cases and is largely linked to obesity, aging, urban lifestyles, and physical inactivity.
The number of adults with diabetes is expected to rise to about 853 million by 2050, marking a projected 46 percent increase. 2
In recognition of this global health observance, MedBound Times connected with Dr. Anil Gomber, MBBS, MD (Medicine), DMRD, FIACM, FICP, FRSSDI, and FRCP, a leading diabetologist, to discuss current trends in diabetes management, prevention strategies, and the challenges faced in providing equitable care. Dr. Gomber shared his insights on improving patient awareness, lifestyle interventions, and how collaborative healthcare efforts can help reduce the growing burden of diabetes in India.
In this interview, Dr. Gomber breaks down the genetic, lifestyle, and dietary factors contributing to India’s diabetes crisis.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: India is known as the diabetic capital of the world. What makes Indians more prone to diabetes: genetics, lifestyle, or our traditional diet?
Dr. Anil Gomber: I think all are being suited into one for the Indian. Why Indians are becoming more prone to diabetes is because a lot of factors come into play, not one factor. One is genetic predisposition, early life nutrition, even maternal nutrition. Sometimes it starts from the womb. Low birth weight is not good, and that is where we have the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, which suggests that poor fetal nutrition increases diabetes risk later in life. Asians have a different phenotype, we are more centrally obese, have less muscle mass, different lipid profiles, and lower insulin sensitivity.
Our BMI threshold is different, and if it’s less than 23, we are still prone to diabetes. Lifestyle adds to this, poor sleep, stress, diet, and less physical activity. It’s a mix of genes, environment, and lifestyle leading to high visceral fat, low muscle mass, and insulin resistance.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: Since diabetes affects heart health too, are Indians more vulnerable to heart diseases?
Dr. Anil Gomber: Diabetes is a cardiometabolic state. When insulin sensitivity and resistance come in, arteries become more atherogenic. Our cholesterol levels are more lipogenic and atherogenic, so we age earlier, at least 10 years earlier.
We are more prone to heart disease because of atherosclerosis, lipids, genetic predisposition, and urban lifestyle. Ours is a thin-fat phenotype, slim people but more prone to cardiac and kidney problems. Diabetes is a chronic, progressive cardiometabolic disease that changes your arteries and biochemistry.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: The Indian diet is seen as healthy because it’s home-cooked and full of vegetables and pulses.
Dr. Anil Gomber: No, Indian diet is not very nutritious. It’s very palatable. Fats are palatable, proteins are not. We take more carbohydrates, around 2,300 calories daily and need to reduce that. We must increase protein in our diet. We fry too much, use too much oil.
Ours is a palatable diet, not a nutritious one. People don’t take proteins because they’re not tasty. From childhood, we take too much roti, chawal, and milk, but not enough millets like jowar, bajra, or ragi. We should take complex carbohydrates to reduce sugar spikes and insulin resistance.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: Most Indians follow a vegetarian diet. How can vegetarians balance meals to prevent insulin resistance?
Dr. Anil Gomber: It’s wrong to say we don’t have protein options. Paneer, tofu, soybean, dals, and green vegetables are all there. The problem is we don’t want to take protein because it’s not tasty. People should know what a balanced diet is 45–50% carbohydrates, 20–25% protein, and 20–25% fat.
Normally, Indians take 60–70% carbs daily, which should be reduced to 50%. Whatever carbohydrate you take, reduce it by half and replace that half with greens, vegetables, salads, fiber, fruits, and nuts. It’s about balance.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: Many people start their mornings with fruit juice. Is that a good habit for diabetics?
Dr. Anil Gomber: One glass of juice can take seven to eight oranges — that’s a lot of sugar. If you eat the fruit instead, you take the pulp and fiber, which help gastric emptying. You’ll eat two or three oranges instead of eight. Juices, especially packed ones, have too much sugar. Always take fresh, whole fruits, not juice.
Arushi Roy Chowdhury: Doctors often tell patients to switch from rice to roti. Is there a difference between the two?
Dr. Anil Gomber: Both are carbohydrates. You can change your chawal to unpolished rice, which slows gastric emptying and improves insulin sensitivity, though it’s less tasty. For roti, mix wheat with millets like jowar, bajra, or soybean flour. That lowers the glycemic index. It’s all about changing the glycemic index and retraining your palate to eat healthier options.
Dr. Anil Gomber concluded by emphasizing that awareness, early lifestyle correction, and dietary discipline are essential to control India’s growing diabetes burden. He urged people to focus on balance, moderation, and smarter food choices to protect future generations from preventable complications.
Why is diabetes increasing rapidly in India?
Due to genetics, high visceral fat, sedentary lifestyle, and carbohydrate-heavy dietary patterns.
What is the thrifty phenotype hypothesis?
It suggests that poor fetal nutrition increases the risk of diabetes later in life.
Are Indians at greater risk of heart disease due to diabetes?
Yes. The Indian “thin-fat phenotype” increases cardiometabolic risk, along with other factors.
Is the Indian diet healthy for diabetes prevention?
Not always; it is often high in carbs and fats. Increasing protein and fiber intake is key.
What’s better for diabetics: rice or roti?
Both are carbs; healthier options include unpolished rice or millet-mixed rotis with lower glycemic index.
References:
1. World Health Organization. “World Diabetes Day 2025: Diabetes Across Life Stages.” 14 November 2025. Accessed 13 November 2025. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-diabetes-day/2025.
2. International Diabetes Federation. “Diabetes Facts & Figures.” Accessed November 13, 2025. https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-figures/
Edited by M Subha Maheswari
