Heavy fast-food consumption in urban centres is driving diabetes in Telangana

A study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research has linked rising fast-food consumption in Telangana and other southern States to higher diabetes risk, particularly in urban areas where spending on ultra-processed foods forms a significant share of household food budgets.

Hyderabad: People in urban centres of Telangana and other South Indian states are spending a lot on fast-food, which is closely linked to a sharp rise in Type-2 diabetes. The troubling correlation has come to light in a recent study linking the epidemic to the massive rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods among the general public in Telangana and other South Indian states.

Published in the prestigious Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR) of ICMR, the research titled FADIS (Fast-food Attributed Diabetes Index Study), taken-up by researchers from Mayo Clinic, US and University of Alabama, US has indicated that Southern States led by Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, are at the forefront of a ‘nutritional transition’ where traditional diets are being replaced by energy-dense, industrially prepared meals.

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The study identifies Telangana as a high-risk zone, reflecting a broader trend across the South Indian States. According to the study, Telangana’s urban centers are witnessing a significant health impact with diabetes prevalence reaching 3.8 percent among urban men, one of the higher rates recorded in the study. The State is also among the top-tier Indian states where fast-food expenditure accounts for 28 -34 percent of the total monthly food budget.

On average, residents in the high-consuming states of TS, Kerala and TN spend between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,450 per person monthly on processed items like packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and ready-to-eat meals.

The researchers utilized a novel framework called DIAGRAM to map these trends, finding that the link between fast food and diabetes is most potent in urban environments.

For both urban men and women, there is a strong statistically significant link between spending on fast food and diabetes rates. “In rural areas, the correlation was notably weaker and not statistically significant, likely due to lower access to convenience outlets and different lifestyle factors,” the study said.

The study also identified for women, the prevalence of being overweight was the single most significant predictor of diabetes risk. In Southern states, including Telangana, obesity rates among women were found to considerably exceed actual diabetes prevalence, suggesting a large population at high risk for future diagnosis.

Experts suggest that the findings point toward a need for “region-specific” public health strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all national approach. With Telangana’s fast-food spending nearly triple that of some Northern states, the authors advocate for targeted nutrition education and urban food policy reforms to curb the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Key findings:

• Urban fast-food expenditure correlates with diabetes prevalence
• Among women overweight prevalence remains the strongest predictor among women.
• Kerala showed the highest diabetes prevalence across genders and regions, with rates of 4 percent
• Telangana exhibited a relatively high diabetes prevalence of 3.8 percent among urban men
• In all South, fast-food expense 28 to 34 percent of total monthly per capita food expenditure
• On an average, Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,450 per person per month is being spent in South over fast food.
• Strong positive correlation between fast food expenditure and diabetes prevalence among urban populations
• Findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive and region-specific public health strategies