Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs at disproportionately higher rates among South Asian populations compared with other ethnic groups, posing significant challenges for disease risk and clinical management. South Asians are also predisposed to central adiposity, demonstrating greater visceral fat accumulation even at lower body mass index levels, which contributes to increased insulin resistance. From a clinical perspective, understanding these genetic and epigenetic influences is incredibly important for improving prevention and adapting care for South Asian communities.
Objectives: This review aims to examine current evidence on epigenetic mechanisms contributing to T2DM risk in South Asian communities and its implications for clinical education and prevention.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate studies investigating epigenetic regulation and metabolic risk factors associated with T2DM. Data was collected from studies investigating genome-wide association studies which have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genes that are associated with increased waist circumference and body mass index among South Asian individuals.
Results: These variants are thought to influence appetite regulation and energy intake through various hypothalamic pathways. Importantly, environmental factors such as physical activity may attenuate the phenotypic expression of these genetic variants, highlighting the potential role of lifestyle interventions in mitigating metabolic risk. Considering the association between FTO variants and obesity patterns, early interventions such as childhood dietary and exercise education, lifestyle modifications, and genetic risk stratification may provide avenues for earlier identification of high-risk individuals. Recent studies suggest that lifestyle and dietary changes can alter DNA methylation patterns associated with metabolic regulation, potentially leading to decreased obesity and diabetes risk.
Conclusion: Clinicians can use this knowledge to create holistic management strategies that place an emphasis on weight reduction, building healthy dietary habits and targeted patient education. As T2DM prevalence continues to increase in South Asian communities, further research into epigenetic influences and early intervention strategies may play an important role in disease prevention and improving outcomes.
Embargo Period
6-1-2026
Included in
Epigenetics Programming of T2DM Risk in the South Asian Community and its Implications for Clinical Practice
Suwanee, GA
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs at disproportionately higher rates among South Asian populations compared with other ethnic groups, posing significant challenges for disease risk and clinical management. South Asians are also predisposed to central adiposity, demonstrating greater visceral fat accumulation even at lower body mass index levels, which contributes to increased insulin resistance. From a clinical perspective, understanding these genetic and epigenetic influences is incredibly important for improving prevention and adapting care for South Asian communities.
Objectives: This review aims to examine current evidence on epigenetic mechanisms contributing to T2DM risk in South Asian communities and its implications for clinical education and prevention.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate studies investigating epigenetic regulation and metabolic risk factors associated with T2DM. Data was collected from studies investigating genome-wide association studies which have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genes that are associated with increased waist circumference and body mass index among South Asian individuals.
Results: These variants are thought to influence appetite regulation and energy intake through various hypothalamic pathways. Importantly, environmental factors such as physical activity may attenuate the phenotypic expression of these genetic variants, highlighting the potential role of lifestyle interventions in mitigating metabolic risk. Considering the association between FTO variants and obesity patterns, early interventions such as childhood dietary and exercise education, lifestyle modifications, and genetic risk stratification may provide avenues for earlier identification of high-risk individuals. Recent studies suggest that lifestyle and dietary changes can alter DNA methylation patterns associated with metabolic regulation, potentially leading to decreased obesity and diabetes risk.
Conclusion: Clinicians can use this knowledge to create holistic management strategies that place an emphasis on weight reduction, building healthy dietary habits and targeted patient education. As T2DM prevalence continues to increase in South Asian communities, further research into epigenetic influences and early intervention strategies may play an important role in disease prevention and improving outcomes.