Asians, in part for genetic reasons, are disproportionately likely to develop diabetes. They get the disease at younger ages and lower weights than others, experts say. Diabetes is largely preventable, experts say — but only if people know they are at risk. Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal and is often undiagnosed until it’s too late, especially in Asians who haven’t historically been considered high-risk. It’s the seventh most common cause of death nationwide and can lead to blindness, amputations and strokes.
Asians tend to have less muscle and more fat than Europeans of the same weight and height, studies show. So an Asian who isn’t obese or even overweight could have enough fat to be in danger of getting diabetes, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as "skinny-fat."
Asians also tend to accumulate more fat around their waists than people of other ethnicities, and abdominal fat is a bigger risk factor for diabetes than fat stored in other places, such as hips or arms.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
a) Get tested to find out and monitor your sugar levels
b) Do food modifications – such as doubling the amount of vegetables in a curry dish, or switching from white rice to a dish made of cauliflower florets.
c) Consume less sugar
