Per capita, India has more diabetes than the United States. Why?
The answer has three layers: genetics, lifestyle, and a fast-changing country.
1. South Asian genetics
South Asian bodies store fat differently. We accumulate visceral fat (around organs) at lower BMIs than other populations. That visceral fat drives insulin resistance.
A South Asian with BMI 23 has roughly the same diabetes risk as a European with BMI 30. The standard global cutoffs underestimate risk for us. That is why Indian guidelines use BMI 23 as "overweight" and waist circumference matters more than weight.
2. The dietary shift
Traditional Indian diets were heavy in millets, lentils, and seasonal vegetables. In the last 50 years, white rice and wheat replaced millets, sugar consumption tripled, refined oils replaced ghee in vast amounts, and processed snacks became everyday food.
The carb load went up. The fibre went down. The body could not adapt fast enough.
3. Rapid urbanisation
In 1980, fewer than 25% of Indians lived in cities. Today, over 35% do, and the rest are urbanising fast. Urban life means more sitting, more screens, less walking, more stress, less sleep, more eating out. All of these raise diabetes risk.
The path forward
You cannot change your genes. You can change your plate, your activity, and your sleep. The 30-minute daily walk and the half-plate-vegetables rule both work for South Asian bodies as well as for anyone else.
DiaCare is built for this context. Indian foods, Indian portions, Indian risk scoring (IDRS). Try DiaCare AI to see for yourself.