South Asians are more likely to develop obesity-related health conditions like diabetes, study finds

Following weight gain, South Asians may be more likely to develop diabetes and require a prescription to buy Actos than individuals of other ethnicities, according to a new study out of McMaster University.

The reason, the researchers said, is that excess pounds in these individuals are more likely to be stored as fat surrounding internal organs, also known as visceral fat. This type of fat, as opposed to subcutaneous fat, has been shown to increase a person's risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions.

Researchers said that rates of chronic diseases like diabetes are at all-time highs, particularly among South Asians. However, their findings help explain this phenomenon. The study may also enable doctors to better understand the unique risk factors faced by their patients. This could help them determine if an individual is likely to need a prescription to buy Actos to treat diabetes.

"For the clinician, this also means that individuals of South Asian heritage need to be screened for the presence of heart disease and diabetes at lower BMIs," said Arya Sharma, who co-authored the study.