On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, a landmark study by Dr. Rajiv Kovil’s clinics in Mumbai’s western suburbs has exposed a troubling shift in diabetes and metabolic health patterns. The four-year analysis, comparing data from pre-pandemic (2016–2020) and post-pandemic (2020–2024) periods, reveals a steep decline in the age of diabetes onset and a sharp rise in related complications.

The findings highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated trends in diabetes and metabolic health, reshaping lifestyles and exacerbating risk factors like weight gain, liver and kidney issues, and cardiovascular complications. The study underscores the critical need for early diabetes screening and proactive management to mitigate these risks across age groups.

Rising Cases, Dropping Age of Onset

The comparative analysis showed a significant surge in patients seeking diabetes care. While 8,824 patients (3,094 new) made 30,334 visits during the pre-pandemic period, the numbers climbed dramatically post-pandemic, with 12,058 patients (3,228 new) making 50,802 visits.

“One of the most alarming trends is the decline in the average age of type 2 diabetes onset, from 47 years pre-pandemic to 42 years post-pandemic,” said Dr. Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology at Zandra Healthcare and Co-founder of the Rang De Neela Initiative. “Diagnoses in individuals in their late 20s and 30s are now becoming increasingly common.”

The study also highlighted a rise in average body weight among newly diagnosed patients. Men’s weights jumped from 75 kg to 84 kg, while women’s weights rose from 61 kg to 69 kg. Concerningly, women also reported higher levels of visceral fat—a key risk factor for metabolic complications—with an average body fat composition of 42% compared to 36% in men.

Metabolic Disorders and Organ Damage

Post-pandemic, diabetes diagnoses have become more complex, with 95% of new patients exhibiting metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia. Hypertension cases among newly diagnosed patients surged from 19% pre-pandemic to 30%. Indicators of chronic kidney disease, including elevated uric acid and proteinuria, now affect 18% of patients, compared to 12% pre-pandemic.

Liver health has also deteriorated significantly. Of 822 patients tested for liver function, 80% showed elevated liver enzymes, suggesting a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

“These trends reflect the urgent need for lifestyle management and early metabolic screening to counter diabetes-related complications,” emphasized Dr. Kovil.

Pandemic-Driven Lifestyle Shifts

The study also captured behavioral changes that worsened metabolic health. Dietary habits among newly diagnosed patients shifted dramatically, with the frequency of outside meals increasing from twice weekly pre-pandemic to six times weekly post-pandemic. Sleep patterns deteriorated, with average sleep duration falling from 7.5 hours to 6.8 hours per night, likely due to increased stress.

Dr. Kovil called for robust public health interventions, emphasizing, “The pandemic’s impact on daily routines has amplified diabetes risk factors, particularly among younger populations.”

Expert Insights: Linking COVID-19 to Diabetes

Dr. Aarti Ullal, a diabetologist at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, further highlighted the pandemic’s role in diabetes onset. “COVID-19 infection may directly trigger diabetes in some patients by affecting pancreatic cells. Reduced physical activity, dietary changes, and increased stress during lockdowns also contributed to insulin resistance and weight gain, elevating diabetes risk,” she explained.

She added that delayed health check-ups and metabolic changes in long COVID patients have further compounded the problem. Dr. Ullal stressed the importance of timely management, recommending a balanced diet, regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and adherence to prescribed medications.

The Way Forward

The findings underscore diabetes as a silent but formidable health crisis that demands urgent attention. Early detection, lifestyle interventions, and public health campaigns are crucial to curbing its growing impact, particularly on younger generations.

As World Diabetes Day highlights the need for awareness and action, experts urge individuals to prioritize metabolic health and seek timely medical care to combat this escalating epidemic.