Diabetes soars in China

The number of people suffering from type 2 diabetes surged by over 30% in the past seven years to 12.6% of the population, according to a survey of 7,400 Shanghai residents, Reuters reported. The survey, led by Rui Li at Shanghai Municipal center for Disease Control and Prevention, found that “unlike the gradual transition in most Western countries, these changes in China have occurred over a very short time.” The team added that an aging population in China – 20% of Shanghai residents are over the age of 60 – likely explains the rapid increase. The research team interviewed over 12,000 people in Shanghai in 2002 and 2003, and found that some 9.7% had diabetes. Lifestyle factors, such as weight gain, imbalanced diets and reduced physical activity all contribute to rising type 2 diabetes, which generally increases as countries become wealthier.