Number of Adults With Diabetes Worldwide Almost Quadrupled Since1980

The number of adult diabete disease almost quadrupled for more than 30 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report published Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The number of adults living with diabetes almost quadrupled in a period from 1980 to 2014 and reached about 422 million of people worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report published Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the WHO called for the global action on diabetes to improve treatment and hamper the spread of the disease.

"Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence (age-standardized) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population," the report reads.

It was added in the report that the rapid change reflected the increase in associated risk factors, such as obesity and overweight.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease stemming from the high-level of sugar in blood. Diabetes could cause blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation and other long-term consequences. According to the WHO, some 3.7 million death related to the high blood glucose levels in 2012.