Did that headline grab your attention? But before we get dismissive, let’s really think about this. Look in the mirror; look at your South Asian friends; look at your dad; look at your mum. What do we see?
The truth is that South Asians are overweight. But it gets worse, we are also more prone to weight related illnesses. Much higher than European descent people. And let’s face it, every event you go to; every time you’re surrounded by other South Asians; how many times have you heard some Aunty talking about about diabetes, some uncle talking about their heart? It happens. It happens a lot more frequently than we want.
Why is weight bad for your health
We have all read about it. We all believe it. But what is it about being overweight that impacts our health? And why should we care?
Before we dive into this, let’s first put into context what being overweight really means. Medics across the globe have attempted to offer a simplified definition — the body mass index (BMI) — to define being overweight. This simplified definition is the basis for all the science and trials that link obesity to certain diseases. Now there are more detailed ways to define being overweight, and of course more arguments to say why BMI is not suitable for me. But it is simple, it is based on all the studies and it offers a good prognostic indicator.
Understanding BMI is important. To calculate it easily, all you need is your weight and height. Use an online calculator and you’ll get your results. Interpreting BMI is also simple. The following criteria are based specifically upon people of South Asian descent:
Underweight: BMI < 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5–22.9
Overweight: BMI 23.0–27.4
Obese: BMI ≥ 27.5
Severely obese: BMI > 37.5
So, now we know what we are. But what does that actually mean for our health. Well, there are a lot of studies linking risk of developing diseases based upon a person’s BMI which have provided varying results. The facts are simple though. Increased weight, increases your risk of developing certain conditions. The below table provides a general summary of the data available. As always, whenever seeing statistics, don’t focus on the actual numbers but see the trends or associations:
Type 2 Diabetes:
Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 2 to 7 times compared to individuals with normal BMI. For South Asians, this risk starts rising at a BMI of 23.
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD):
The risk of heart disease and stroke increases with higher BMI. Overweight individuals have a 30% higher risk, and obese individuals have up to a 50–80% higher risk of CVD compared to those with a normal BMI.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):
Overweight individuals are about 2 times more likely to develop high blood pressure, while obese individuals have a 3 to 4 times increased risk.
Dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels):
The likelihood of elevated LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides is significantly higher in the overweight and obese categories, contributing to increased cardiovascular risk.
Cancer:
Obesity increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, colorectal, and liver cancers, with relative risks for these cancers ranging from 20% to 50% higher in obese individuals.
Sleep Apnea:
Obesity can increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea by up to 4 times compared to individuals with a healthy BMI.
Osteoarthritis:
The added body weight puts strain on joints, particularly in the knees and hips, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis by 2 to 3 times.
So, what can I do
As I was writing this, thinking about the countless patients I’ve seen, and reflecting on my own friends, family, and even myself, I realized the real question isn’t, What can I do? We all know what we should do. The question is: Do I really want to do something about it?
That’s a tough one to answer. Personally, there have been many times when I’ve been concerned about my weight. I know the risks. I believe them. I even know what I should do. But often, I still choose not to take action. Why is that?
In my weight loss clinic, I see so many patients who come to me fully committed and ready—ready to lose weight and give it their all, dedicated to the cause. And it makes me think: it’s not just one thing that makes you want to change. It’s more about reaching a particular emotional state. At some point, the desire to lose weight becomes overwhelming.
For some, it’s the health scare—a loved one suffering a heart attack or being diagnosed with diabetes. For others, it’s simply looking in the mirror and feeling fed up with what they see.
As for me, I haven’t yet felt that overpowering urge to make a change. And that’s the key—until you reach that point, your weight tends to keep climbing.
