noncommunicable diseases

A global study has found that more than 13 per cent of heart failure cases among people living with diabetes in India may be attributed to physical inactivity, underscoring the growing health burden linked to sedentary lifestyles. The research, published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, estimates that 9.6 per cent of coronary heart disease cases and 9.4 per cent of cardiovascular complications among diabetics in India are also associated with insufficient physical activity. On a global scale, researchers reported that nearly one in ten cases of macrovascular complications—conditions affecting large blood vessels—as well as diabetic retinopathy in individuals with diabetes can be traced to a lack of regular exercise. Lead author Jayne Feter from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul said the findings challenge the perception that diabetes-related complications are unavoidable. According to her, a substantial proportion of these conditions could be prevented through realistic and sustained increases in physical activity. The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week. The study analysed data from over 2.3 million adults with diabetes across multiple global regions, including South Asia. Globally, physical inactivity was linked to over 10 per cent of stroke cases, 9.7 per cent of diabetic retinopathy cases, 7.3 per cent of heart failure cases, and roughly five to seven per cent of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease cases among diabetics. The researchers also observed that women and individuals with lower educational attainment face a disproportionately higher risk of complications related to physical inactivity, highlighting persistent social and gender inequities in health outcomes. India accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s diabetic population, according to a 2024 study published in The Lancet. Long-term elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to serious complications that increasingly strain healthcare systems. The authors emphasised that integrating structured physical activity promotion into routine diabetes care and national strategies to combat noncommunicable diseases is essential. Co-author Natan Feter from the University of Southern California said policies must be adapted to local contexts and directly address social and gender disparities to effectively reduce hospitalisations, disability, and rising healthcare costs. Source: PTI