World Diabetes Day: why a simple check matters more than you think
Diabetes often causes no symptoms in its early years. A short risk questionnaire and a blood test can show where you stand.
World Diabetes Day falls on 14 November every year. The numbers behind it are a reminder of how common the condition is, and how often it goes unnoticed.
The scale of the problem
According to the International Diabetes Federation, an estimated 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024. About 252 million of them did not know they had it. Early type 2 diabetes often causes no symptoms, so many people find out only when a complication appears.
Why South Asians should pay attention early
Research in India has shown that people of Asian Indian origin tend to develop type 2 diabetes at lower body weights and younger ages than people in many other populations, which is why Indian-specific screening tools exist.
A quick, validated starting point: the Indian Diabetes Risk Score
The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) was developed by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation to flag people who may have undiagnosed diabetes. It uses four simple inputs:
- Age. Under 35 scores 0, 35 to 49 scores 20, and 50 or above scores 30.
- Waist circumference. For women, under 80 cm scores 0, 80 to 89 cm scores 10 and 90 cm or more scores 20. For men, the bands are under 90 cm, 90 to 99 cm and 100 cm or more.
- Physical activity. Regular vigorous exercise or strenuous work scores 0, regular moderate activity scores 10, mild activity scores 20 and no exercise or a sedentary routine scores 30.
- Family history. None scores 0, one parent with diabetes scores 10 and both parents score 20.
A total below 30 suggests lower risk, 30 to 50 moderate risk, and 60 or more high risk. The score is a screening aid, not a diagnosis, and a low score does not rule diabetes out.
You can work out your score in a minute with the diabetes risk check on this site.
What the real tests are
Only a blood test can confirm diabetes. Doctors commonly use a fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, an HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, or a two-hour glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher after a glucose load, confirmed on repeat testing unless there are clear symptoms. Your doctor will decide which test is right for you.
Who should ask for a test
Talk to your doctor about screening if you are 35 or older, have a larger waist, have a parent or sibling with diabetes, have had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, had diabetes in pregnancy, or live a mostly sedentary life. If your IDRS is 30 or above, treat it as a prompt to book a blood test.
What you can do now
Moving more, eating more vegetables, whole grains and pulses and fewer refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks, sleeping well and keeping your waist in check all lower risk. If you are prescribed medicines, take them as directed and keep your follow-up visits.
This article is general information and not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.
Sources
- IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition (2025): diabetes prevalence and awareness
- Mohan V, et al. A simplified Indian Diabetes Risk Score for screening for undiagnosed diabetic subjects. J Assoc Physicians India, 2005
- Mohan V, Anbalagan VP. Expanding role of the MDRF-IDRS in clinical practice. Indian J Endocrinol Metab, 2013
