Burden of increased blood glucose due to modifiable risk factors among men in India

Background and aimsWorldwide, many diabetes cases are occurring mainly due to lifestyle risk factors. Hence, to quantify and compare the attributable burden of key modifiable risk factors associated with increased Blood Glucose (BG) among Indian states and districts.MethodsThe study used the National Family Health Survey (2015–16) data to estimate Population Attributable Risk (PAR) for increased BG (>140 mg/dl) among men aged 15–54 years in 640 districts of 36 States/Union Territories (UTs), India. We have considered three key modifiable factors such as high Body Mass Index (BMI), use of tobacco and alcohol. Population Attributable Risk techniques were employed to address the attributable burden of increased blood glucose due to modifiable risk factors.ResultsSubstantial variations were found in the burden of increased BG due to high BMI, alcohol and tobacco use in India. The overall burden of increased BG due to high BMI, tobacco and alcohol in India was 28.5%, 2.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Regional variations in BG were found in high BMI, tobacco and alcohol consumption groups. The high burden of increased BG related to the above key modifiable risk factors mostly seen in North-Eastern’ districts due to alcohol, Southern and Northern’ districts was due to high BMI. However, the higher burden due to tobacco was reported in Central, Eastern and North-Eastern’ districts.ConclusionThree modifiable risk factors are contributing significantly to increased BG among men. Since there are regional differences in their contributions, state/district, specific targeted interventions may be necessary to control increased BG among men in India.