Ethnic Disparity and Increased Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Among South Asians: Aetiology and Future Implications for Diabetes Prevention and Management.
BACKGROUND
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is turning out to be a global health crisis. Currently available literature clearly indicates an increased risk of type 2 diabetes amongst South Asian population.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this narrative review is to explore the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors of T2DM in South Asian population, including their beliefs, attitudes, socio economic and cultural barriers and also to explore the possible implications in designing culture specific diabetes prevention and management programs.


METHODS
This narrative review is based upon the data from individual studies and review article known to the authors. Additional relevant studies were identified through PubMed search on Englishlanguage papers published in 2000-2017 using the relevant keywords. Where appropriate, the reference lists of key papers were reviewed to identify additional studies of interest.


RESULTS
Many genetic and environmental risk factors such as diet, physical inactivity, and sleep contribute to the increased prevalence of diabetes in the ethnic group. Providing mere knowledge about diabetes and these risk factors might not be sufficient in this particular ethnic group. It is essential to address their beliefs, attitudes and the cultural barriers faced.


CONCLUSION
To overcome the health disparity in the South Asian ethnic group, various risk factors associated with diabetes, and the challenges faced are to be considered while designing future diabetes prevention and management strategies.
['Vijayakumar|Venugopal|V|', 'Mavathur|Ramesh|R|', 'Sharma|Manjunath N K|MNK|']
D001210:Asia, Southeastern D044466:Asians D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 D005006:Ethnicity D054624:Health Status Disparities D006801:Humans D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors
ethnicity diabetes South Asian management Type 2 diabetes mellitus barriers risk factors.