Type 2 diabetes in South Asians: similarities and differences with white Caucasian and other populations

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. While all ethnic groups are affected, the prevalence of T2DM in South Asians, both in their home countries and abroad, is extremely high and is continuing to rise rapidly. Innate biological susceptibilities coup...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2013-04, Vol.1281 (1), p.51-63
Main Authors: Gujral, Unjali P., Pradeepa, R., Weber, Mary Beth, Narayan, K.M. Venkat, Mohan, V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analogies
Asia, Southeastern - ethnology
Asian Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology
Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics
Biological
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics
Diets
Elevated
Ethnic
ethnic comparison
European Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology
European Continental Ancestry Group - genetics
Humans
Life Style - ethnology
Mortality
Original
Population Surveillance
Populations
prevalence
Risk Factors
South Asians
type 2 diabetes mellitus
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Summary:Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. While all ethnic groups are affected, the prevalence of T2DM in South Asians, both in their home countries and abroad, is extremely high and is continuing to rise rapidly. Innate biological susceptibilities coupled with rapid changes in physical activity, diet, and other lifestyle behaviors are contributing factors propelling the increased burden of disease in this population. The large scope of this problem calls for investigations into the cause of increased susceptibility and preventative efforts at both the individual and population level that are aggressive, culturally sensitive, and start early. In this review, we outline the biological and environmental factors that place South Asians at elevated risk for T2DM, compared with Caucasian and other ethnic groups.
ISSN:0077-8923
1749-6632
DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06838.x