What is the 'thin-fat' phenomenon affecting lean Indians?

According to experts, lean Indians are at high risk of diabetes due to a combination of genetic factors and visceral fat, even though they may appear thin on the outside.

How are dietary changes impacting diabetes risk in lean Indians?

The shift towards refined grains, sugary drinks, and processed foods is causing rapid sugar spikes, which, combined with sedentary lifestyles, may accelerate insulin resistance in genetically susceptible individuals.

What is the Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis and how does it explain the rise of diabetes in lean Indians?

The hypothesis suggests that individuals who were undernourished in early life but later exposed to calorie-rich environments, a common scenario in India, are more prone to developing diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Home / Health / Lean Indians Face Surprising Diabetes Risk as 'Thin-Fat' Epidemic Emerges

Lean Indians Face Surprising Diabetes Risk as 'Thin-Fat' Epidemic Emerges

11 Nov

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Summary

Lean Indians at high risk of diabetes due to genetic factors and visceral fat
Dietary shift to refined grains, sugary drinks accelerating insulin resistance
Undernutrition in past, overnutrition now fueling diabetes in lean Indians

Lean Indians Face Surprising Diabetes Risk as 'Thin-Fat' Epidemic Emerges

As of November 11th, 2025, health experts are sounding the alarm about a growing epidemic of diabetes among lean Indians. According to the World Health Organisation, diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, often linked to obesity. However, an increasing number of lean Indians are now being diagnosed with this condition, which is becoming a silent and often overlooked health risk.

Dr. Tejaswi V, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Manipal Hospital, explains that this phenomenon is due to a combination of genetic factors and dietary changes. He notes that compared to Westerners, Indians tend to have higher body fat, particularly around the abdomen, known as visceral adiposity. This visceral fat indicates that body weight is not the only indicator of metabolic health.