ABSTRACT
104 Objective: To review different components of the obesity epidemic in the South Asian population by focusing on current guidelines, risk factors, related diseases, and interventions, and to formulate recommendations to prevent and address obesity among South Asians in the United States.
Key Findings: As a population, South Asians are more prone to abdominal obesity, which is associated with complications and related diseases. The differences in body fat distribution prompted a modification of the body mass index (BMI) guidelines for South Asians to reflect the propensity for abdominal fat, and thus better screen individuals to properly risk stratify them. Predisposition to abdominal fat is multifactorial with adverse lifestyle choices (reduced physical activity and poor diet) as well as a genetic susceptibility playing key roles.
Recommendations: More work is needed to implement and evaluate culturally-appropriate lifestyle and dietary interventions. Further research into the genetics of obesity within the South Asian population is needed to better target certain groups for interventions, as well as to improve risk calculations. Additionally, use of the South Asian consensus guidelines for BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) needs to be expanded in the health-care setting as well as at home.
