Abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in South Asians: prevention and management

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abdominal obesity are escalating in South Asian countries. It is well established that MetS is associated with increased risk for both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. South Asians have an increased risk of MetS due to a variety of factors including unhealthy lifestyle and their unique body composition.

Areas covered

In this review, we discuss the prevalence, associated risk factors, and evidence-based preventive and curative strategies for MetS and abdominal obesity in South Asians. A literature search through PubMed®, Web of Science®, and Scopus® was performed for studies published before 31^st April 2021. A combination of the following keywords was used with the names of the individual South Asian countries: ‘metabolic syndrome,’ ‘syndrome X,’ ‘abdominal obesity,’ ‘central obesity,’ ‘visceral obesity,’ ‘prevention,’ and ‘management.’

Expert opinion

According to current evidence, MetS and abdominal obesity are highly prevalent among South Asians. Several risk factors, such as lifestyle, socio-demography, cultural, and body composition, are associated with MetS. Limited research shows culturally tailored lifestyle interventions are effective in preventing and managing MetS and abdominal obesity among South Asians.

KEYWORDS:

• Metabolic syndrome
• abdominal obesity
• South Asia
• prevention
• management
• risk factors
• prevalence

Article highlights

• Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are becoming more common in South Asian countries, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality.

• Several risk factors may be contributing to the high prevalence including diet, low intake of fruit and vegetables, urbanization, physical inactivity, lifestyle, socio-demography, culture, body composition, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

• To prevent and control this epidemic among South Asians, culturally relevant lifestyle interventions and well-designed clinical trials are urgently needed.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

AM devised the conceptual idea. RJ and PS searched databases and involved in retrieving data. PS and RJ drafted the manuscript. AM revised the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received no funding.