Saqib Rather
Srinagar, May 9: In the narrow lanes of downtown Srinagar, crowded markets of Anantnag, and snowbound villages of north Kashmir, a silent health crisis is spreading rapidly. Diabetes — once seen largely as a disease affecting older people — is now tightening its grip across Kashmir, with doctors reporting a sharp increase in cases among young adults and middle-aged residents.
Health experts and government data indicate that diabetes is emerging as one of the Valley’s biggest non-communicable disease challenges, driven by changing lifestyles, stress, unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity.
According to official figures from the Health Department, more than 1.17 lakh diabetes cases were detected in Kashmir during large-scale screening programmes conducted between 2021 and 2023. The number has continued to rise steadily, with health authorities screening lakhs of residents across Jammu and Kashmir under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
Doctors say the disease is no longer confined to the elderly.“Ten years ago, most diabetic patients were above 50 years of age. Today we are seeing patients in their twenties and thirties with uncontrolled blood sugar levels,” said Dr. Syed Tariq, an endocrinologist at Srinagar. “The trend is deeply worrying because younger patients face longer-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.”
At major hospitals including SMHS Hospital, SKIMS Soura and district health centres, outpatient departments dealing with diabetes and hypertension are witnessing increasing patient loads every year.
Medical specialists attribute the rise to multiple factors — sedentary lifestyles, obesity, increased consumption of processed foods, stress-related disorders and declining physical activity, especially during Kashmir’s long winters.
“In Kashmir, winters have traditionally reduced outdoor movement, but now mobile phones, television and desk-bound routines have further limited physical activity,” said Dr. Masrat Ahmad, a physician associated with the government’s NCD programme. “People consume high-calorie diets but burn very little energy.”
Traditional food habits are also under scrutiny. Doctors warn that excessive consumption of polished rice, bakery products, sugary beverages and fatty foods has contributed significantly to rising obesity levels in both urban and rural populations.
At a private diagnostic laboratory in Srinagar, technicians say blood sugar tests have become one of the most common investigations requested by patients.“Earlier, people came for diabetes testing only after severe symptoms developed,” said laboratory technician Nadeem Hussain. “Now many young office workers and even college students are being diagnosed during routine check-ups.”
The growing burden is not limited to cities. Rural health workers report increasing cases in villages where awareness about diabetes remains limited.
In south Kashmir’s Shopian district, 52-year-old farmer Ghulam Mohammad said he discovered he was diabetic only after suffering blurred vision and weakness for months.“I thought it was just tiredness from work,” he said. “When doctors checked my sugar levels, they were very high. Now I take medicines every day and avoid many foods.”
Health officials believe thousands of people may still be living with undiagnosed diabetes in remote areas.The government has intensified screening efforts in recent months, particularly for people above the age of 30. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and healthcare workers have been conducting door-to-door surveys and awareness campaigns in several districts.
“We are trying to identify cases at an early stage because prevention and timely treatment are essential,” said an official from the Health Department. “Diabetes is becoming a major public health concern in Jammu and Kashmir.”Medical experts also point to stress and mental health issues as contributing factors. Years of conflict, uncertainty, unemployment and changing social patterns have affected lifestyle behaviours across the Valley.“Stress hormones directly impact blood sugar control,” explained Dr. Tariq. “Many patients have poor sleep patterns, anxiety and irregular eating schedules, all of which increase diabetes risk.”
Studies conducted under the ICMR-INDIAB project have already highlighted the growing prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Jammu and Kashmir. Experts warn that unless preventive measures are adopted urgently, the region could witness a much larger health burden in the coming decade.
Doctors recommend regular exercise, reduced sugar intake, healthier diets and routine medical screening as key preventive measures. They also stress the importance of educating children and adolescents about healthy lifestyles.“People must understand that diabetes is preventable in many cases,” said Dr. Masrat Ahmad. “Even a daily walk, balanced food and regular check-ups can make a huge difference.”
For many Kashmiri families, however, the disease has already become a harsh reality — one measured not only in rising medical expenses but also in lifelong dependence on medicines and strict dietary restrictions.
As hospitals continue to witness growing numbers of diabetic patients, health experts warn that Kashmir may be standing at the edge of a major lifestyle disease crisis — one that requires urgent public awareness, stronger healthcare interventions and collective social change.
