A recent UK-based study has found that genetic vulnerabilities, such as producing lower levels of insulin and having unhealthy fat distribution, are major contributors to South Asians developing type 2 diabetes at a younger age. The research, led by Queen Mary University, specifically examined participants of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin.

While South Asians tend to develop diabetes earlier in life, often with a normal body mass index (BMI), the reasons for this were not well understood until now. The study, published in Nature Medicine, noted that much of the genetic research on diabetes has focused on European ancestry, leaving South Asians underrepresented.

The study used data from the Genes and Health cohort, a large community-based study involving British-Bangladeshi and British-Pakistani participants. Of the nearly 9,800 participants with diabetes, the research highlights how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the earlier onset of diabetes in this population group.