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The Diabetes Paradox in India: Case of Kerala and Bihar
Authors: Rajeshwari A. Biradar, Dharmendra P. Singh, and Shiva S. Halli
Source: Demography India, 49(1): 78-90
Topic(s): Diabetes
Country: Asia
  India
Published: JUN 2020
Abstract: Abstract: Unlike in other populations, in India, the state with one of the worst health indicators, Bihar, has the lowest diabetes rate, whereas a state with one of the best health indicators, Kerala, shows the highest diabetes rate. In the absence of a systematic study with a national representative sample to help policymakers, this study makes an attempt to understand this paradoxical phenomenon in two Indian states. The most recent National Family Health Survey data are analysed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to understand the differences in diabetes prevalence among the two states. The multivariate logistic regression odds ratios do not show significant associations between diabetes prevalence and education, wealth index, caste and religion. In both the states, background variables and lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol and tobacco consumption are not significant in explaining the geographic distributions in diabetes. Future studies may be required to highlight other geographical differences, including ethnic phenotype, genetic factors, and elevation from sea level to explain the diabetes prevalence. Key Words: Diabetes paradox, Geographical differences, National Family Health Survey, India, Men and Women
Web: http://demographyindia.in/article_document/115/247727-59-Rajeswari-Biradar.pdf