How the ‘Thin Fat Indian’ Concept is Shaping Diabetes Prevention Strategies
Pune, 6th December 2024: World Renowned Diabetes Researcher and Head of Diabetes Unit of KEM Hospital, Pune Dr. Chittaranjan Yajnik today highlighted the research work done by the diabetes unit and the way forward. He was speaking at a Press Interaction on the sidelines of the 8th Dr. Banoo Coyaji Oration on the topic ‘Predicting the Future-Horoscope to Molecular Biology’.
Dr.Yajnik said that the oration is a perfect platform to pay tribute to Dr. Banoo Coyaji who gave a free hand and helped to establish a thriving unit which went on to become a center of excellence in diabetes research . She supported us at every stage and this oration is a public acknowledgement of her leadership and contribution.
Dr. Yajnik said that the Diabetes Unit at KEM Hospital, Pune is the first specialized diabetes unit in Western India started in 1987. The unit has led from the front and done notable work in three areas viz service to the patient, education to the patients and research. On the research front, the KEM Hospital Research Centre was one of the first ones to start investigating why diabetes is so common among Indians. The first finding was that this is largely related to central obesity i.e extra amount of fat inside and outside the abdomen in the central area of the body. Later on the unit went on to describe the ‘Thin Fat Indian’ concept which means that Indians have a thin look, but a lot of fat in the body. this is because the body has less muscle, which means thin limbs and lot of fat in the body with central obesity. The idea has explained why Indians have more diabetes.
He added that It was originally thought due to genetic factors, but with our research in collaboration with Prof. David Barkar has shown that this actually starts when the baby is growing in the mother’s womb. Mother’s nutrition, metabolism, stress and a lot of other factors decide baby’s health. Indian babies look small but have more fat than the English babies. Building on the research, the Unit went on to show importance of Vitamin B 12 and folate imbalance in the phenomena. After this a trial has been done on supplementing B12 and other micronutrients to young girls and studying the outcome in their children. The trial is complete and it looks like the socio-economic development and the micronutrient supplementation we provided is helping the babies to gradually overcome the excess fat during the intra uterine growth. This is the beginning of the improvement of the health of Indian population. The government and other agencies must support to improve the health of young girls and boys so that the next generation is born healthy.
Next frontier is exploring Molecular mechanisms
Dr. Yajnik said that we are in the process of finding out molecular mechanisms which we think are epigenetic rather than genetic and are driven by the environment changes which modify the gene function. The study will allow us to properly understand what to do, how to do and how Government Policies can be shaped. From research, we are now trying to move towards advocating and educating about the research so that policies and programs of the government can be shaped and a large population can be benefitted.
Thriving Clinic and Centre of Excellence
The Diabetes Unit at KEM Hospital, Pune has treated thousands of patients with Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes and specialised varieties of diabetes. We have a thriving clinic of Type 1 Diabetes Children in which we have more than 1500 patients recorded and many hundreds are treated free with the support of charitable donations from Hinduja trust, Mukul Madhav Foundation and Nityasha Foundation. The Unit has done pioneering work in educating patients about their day to management and help them become self-reliant.
Thriving active online program for Type 1 Diabetes patients and their parents helps to fill the void between visits to the clinic. The Madhuraksha application designed by a team at Diabetes Unit, KEM hospital Pune has also been downloaded by thousands with type 1 diabetes. It serves as a ready reckoner for those with type 1 diabetes and explains basic survival skills. It also provides various calculators for meal and insulin dose calculations to facilitate blood sugar control.
