Growing insulin resistance poses health challenge

China is witnessing a rise in insulin resistance, with many individuals unaware of their condition. This trend poses a substantial public health challenge as it often leads to prediabetes and, eventually, diabetes if not addressed promptly, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

China is experiencing a surge in insulin resistance, driven by lifestyle changes, the center said in an article last year, adding that insulin resistance affects over 20 percent of adults aged 18 and above in some areas, with some areas reaching as high as 40.8 percent.

Certain groups are more susceptible to developing insulin resistance, including men, individuals age 45 and older, urban residents, those who consume excessive alcohol, and people with sedentary lifestyles or obesity. A diet high in sugar and fat further contributes to this condition, the center said.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, regulates blood sugar levels and provides energy to cells. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's response to insulin weakens, forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels, the center said.

Type 2 diabetes develops gradually, starting with insulin resistance, where the body becomes less effective at using insulin. To compensate and maintain normal blood sugar levels, the pancreas produces extra insulin, temporarily keeping blood sugar in check.

This condition can remain undetected, as it often presents no symptoms until it progresses to prediabetes, Wang Weihao, the chief physician of endocrinology at Beijing Hospital, told Xinhua in November.

"Even when the body's metabolism is abnormal, blood sugar levels may still be normal. During this stage, most people do not experience noticeable discomfort. When insulin resistance gradually worsens and causes a slight increase in blood sugar, it leads to the next stage, known as prediabetes," Wang was quoted as saying.

Research led by experts from the China CDC showed that the prevalence of diabetes in China has risen rapidly over the past two decades.

The research published in June was titled The National and Provincial Prevalence and Non-fatal Burdens of Diabetes in China from 2005 to 2023 with Projections of Prevalence to 2050.

It said that the age-standardized prevalence rate of diabetes jumped from 7.53 percent in 2005 to 13.7 percent in 2023. The rate allows for a more accurate comparison by eliminating the effects of age distribution variations. The total number of diabetes patients soared from 88.48 million in 2005 to 233 million in 2023.

Research by Peking University in 2021 showed an alarming trend. From 2008 to 2017, the average age at diabetes diagnosis dropped from 62 to 56 years. Among incident cases of diabetes, the percentage of people under 40 years increased from 3.0 percent to 10.9 percent.

Li Jianhui, chief physician of endocrinology at Ningbo No 2 Hospital in Zhejiang province, published an article in the Yangtze Evening Post, a media outlet based in Jiangsu province, saying that insulin resistance is a major health challenge today.

"Once thought of as a condition affecting primarily wealthy elders, insulin resistance has increasingly become a widespread issue across the entire population. Most people with insulin resistance are unaware of their condition, and many have never even heard of it," he said in the article released in 2024.

To combat this growing issue, he recommended several lifestyle changes.

Dietary adjustments are crucial, including limiting carbohydrates to about 50 percent of total calories, with a focus on whole grains.

Increasing plant protein intake is advised, except for those with kidney issues, as animal proteins can exacerbate insulin resistance.

Intermittent fasting is also suggested as it involves normal eating one day and restricted caloric intake the next.

Regular exercise is another key component in preventing insulin resistance. Individuals are encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, ideally spread over five days. Activities like walking, jogging, and aerobics are recommended. Resistance exercises such as weight lifting and squats improve insulin sensitivity and enhance muscle and bone density.