Hidden Diabetes Risk in Lean Indians: Doctors Warn Genes and Diet Play a Major Role

Diabetes is often seen as a disease that affects people who are overweight. But doctors in India are now warning that even people who look thin from the outside can have diabetes. This condition is slowly increasing and is becoming a serious problem because many people do not know they have it. According to experts, genes, modern diets, and inactive lifestyles are together causing early diabetes in many lean Indians.

The World Health Organisation defines diabetes as a long-term disease where the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the level of sugar in the blood. When insulin does not work correctly, blood sugar becomes too high, and this can harm the body over time. It can damage the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.

At Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, endocrinologist Dr Tejaswi explains that India has a special type of situation. Many Indians may look slim but still have high levels of fat stored around their internal organs, especially around the stomach area. This type of fat is called visceral fat. It does not show clearly on the outside, but inside the body, it affects how insulin works. This idea was first explained by Dr CN Yajnik and is known as the concept of “thin-fat Indians.”

This means that weight alone does not show a person’s health. A person may have a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) but still have a high risk of diabetes. This makes it harder for people to understand their health condition. Many feel they are safe because they are not overweight, but their body may still be struggling to handle sugar.

Diet also plays a very important role in this issue. Over time, many Indians have moved away from traditional home-cooked meals to more processed and refined foods. Items like white bread, sugary drinks, fast food, packaged snacks, and polished white rice are very common in daily meals. These foods increase blood sugar quickly and make the body’s insulin work harder. When this continues for years, the body loses the ability to manage sugar properly.

Along with diet, the way of living has also changed. Many people now work at desk jobs and do not get enough physical activity. Children spend more time on screens and less time playing outdoors. Adults travel by vehicles, use elevators, and sit for long hours. This low physical movement makes it easier for fat to collect inside the body even if a person does not look overweight.

Genes also play a strong role. Some people may inherit a body type that stores fat more easily or uses insulin less effectively. If parents or close relatives have diabetes, the chances of developing diabetes become higher. But genes alone do not decide. Lifestyle can make the condition appear earlier and more severe.

What makes this problem dangerous is that many lean people do not go for medical checkups because they believe they are healthy. They may ignore symptoms like tiredness, more hunger, more thirst, blurry vision, or frequent urination. Some may not notice any symptoms at all until the disease has caused damage.

Doctors suggest that everyone, especially those with a family history of diabetes, should get regular blood sugar tests, even if they are thin. Early detection can help control the disease and prevent serious complications. Treatment does not only include medicines. It also includes changes in eating habits and daily activities.

Simple lifestyle steps can make a big difference. Eating whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and foods high in fiber can help control blood sugar better. Reducing sugary, fried, and packaged foods is very important. Daily walking, jogging, yoga, or any form of regular physical activity helps the body use insulin more effectively. Even 30 minutes of simple exercise can improve health.

Doctors also advise reducing stress and getting proper sleep, because both can affect blood sugar levels. Mental health is connected with physical health, and too much stress can raise glucose levels even without eating sugary foods.

The message from health professionals is clear: diabetes does not look the same in everyone. Being thin does not mean being fully healthy. Understanding the body, getting regular checkups, eating balanced food, and staying active are necessary for everyone.

This rising issue of hidden diabetes in lean Indians is an important reminder that health is not only about shape or size. It is about what is happening inside the body. With awareness, early testing, and healthy habits, this silent risk can be controlled before it becomes severe.

The hope is that more people will learn about this condition and take the right steps early. Prevention is always easier than treatment. Listening to the body and making small changes in daily life can protect health for many years.