Lack of diagnosis hampers efforts (4)

The latest report from the Beijing municipal government on residents' health showed that 8.9 percent of locals between the ages of 18 and 79 have diabetes, up 0.3 percent over 2008.

Some 10.3 percent of males in the age bracket have the disease, and the number for women is 7.4 percent, according to the report.

The rate increases as people age, experts said.

Among residents between the ages of 18 and 29, the diabetes prevalence is 1.3 percent, which is the lowest of all age groups. The highest rate — 24 percent — was found in people older than 70, the report showed.

However, overweight and obese children are at high risk of the condition as well, Ji said. "Childhood diabetes will seriously impact the sufferer's future education and employment, and the nation's development as a whole."