Lifestyle change in Kerala, India: Strategies for Diabetes prevention

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a lifestyle disease related to sedentary habits, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyle choices is becoming increasingly prevalent in India, particularly in the Kerala province.  T2DM in Kerala is the focus of an article recently published in BMC Public Health, in which Prof Brian Oldenberg and Prof Thirunavukkarasu Sathish (Global Health Science Unit) are co-authors.

The study investigates the rising T2DM epidemic in Kerala, where there is a cultural and societal belief that T2DM is inevitable.  The study concludes that the most effective strategy to combat this rising epidemic is through community based programs engaging not just those at risk, but their families and peers.  Such programs should focus on changing the community’s attitude about the inevitability of T2DM, and encourage and promote lifestyle changes such as exercise and healthy eating.

('Lifestyle change in Kerala, India: needs assessment and planning for a community-based diabetes prevention trial': Meena Daivadanam, Pilvikki Absetz, Thirunavukkarasu Sathish, K R Thankappan, Edwin B Fisher, Neena Elezebeth Philip, Elezebeth Mathews and Brian Oldenburg^. BMC Public Health 2013, 13:95. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-95)