Why South Asians Have a Higher Risk for Diabetes

Data on U.S. residents showed those of South Asian descent had a diabetes prevalence of 23%, compared with 6% in whites, 18% in blacks, 17% in Latinos and 13% in Chinese-Americans. However, traditional risk factors did not appear to explain the heightened prevalence among South Asians, researchers said. "The study results showed that the higher prevalence of diabetes is not due to obesity as they have less obesity then whites." After analyzing the results they determined that the very high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, may be a result of having lower pancreatic beta cell function and higher levels of insulin resistance. Pub online before print April 4, 2014, doi: 10.2337/dc13-2656 Diabetes Care