Air pollution may increase diabetes risk, warns AIIMS expert

Rising air pollution levels across the Delhi-NCR region are reshaping daily habits and may be creating conditions conducive to chronic diseases like diabetes, according to medical experts at AIIMS Delhi.

Dr. Rajesh Khangawat, a professor at the premier medical institution, highlighted how worsening air quality discourages outdoor physical activity. During periods of severe pollution, residents tend to remain indoors to avoid respiratory hazards, he noted.

This reduction in outdoor movement and exercise can contribute to weight gain and sedentary lifestyles, both significant risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. The phenomenon represents an indirect but measurable health consequence of environmental degradation, extending beyond immediate respiratory impacts.

The Delhi-NCR region has long struggled with seasonal air quality crises, particularly during winter months when pollution levels spike due to crop burning, vehicular emissions, and meteorological conditions. Medical professionals have increasingly documented the cascading health effects of prolonged exposure to poor air quality on the region's population.

Experts recommend maintaining physical activity through indoor exercise routines during high pollution days and monitoring metabolic health indicators, particularly among vulnerable populations, as air quality challenges persist across northern India.