ABS 034: Understanding the Cardiometabolic Health Risks Associated with Certain Dietary Habits in South Asian Young Adults: Findings from an Exploratory Survey

Shray Saheba ¹ , Akhil Patel ¹ , Sunanda Gaur ¹

¹ Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Van Wickle (2025) Volume 1, ABS034

Introduction: South Asians, particularly immigrants in Western societies, have been found to exhibit a high incidence of cardiometabolic diseases - including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes. With increased consumption of certain ingredients and specific nutritional patterns, the South Asian diet emerges as a modifiable risk factor associated with such health issues. Our study analyzed 128 young adults' perceptions of the traditional South Asian diet using a virtual survey platform. The results revealed significant concerns regarding ingredient intake: 70 respondents expressed concern about excess oil consumption, 25 about fat intake, 17 about sugar, and 17 about salt. Moreover, a significant portion of participants reported a family history of diabetes (70 responses), high blood pressure (53 responses), and high cholesterol (52 responses). Ultimately, 74% of participants were interested in exploring healthier alternatives to traditional Indian recipes, indicating a growing awareness and openness to dietary modification. The dietary component serves as one critical factor behind the escalation of health issues within the South Asian community - particularly the excessive intake of oil and fat, as noted by other studies. Such findings highlight the need for nutritional education initiatives to promote healthier dietary habits within the South Asian demographic. Specifically, it is imperative to deepen our comprehension of certain ingredients' impact on our health. By advocating for informed nutritional choices and offering viable alternatives, rather than abandoning the traditional diet, we can effectively address the increased health concerns within the South Asian community. ​

Methods: This exploratory study analyzed the dietary and culinary habits of South Asian young adults. 128 self-identifying South Asian participants completed a virtual survey, which inquired about their nutritional practices. Questions spanned a diverse range of topics, encompassing cooking frequency, meal preparation preferences, ingredients utilized in meals, personal levels of health consciousness, frequency of reading nutrition labels, frequency of tracking macronutrients and sources of nutritional information. Participants additionally provided insight into their personal and family health history and shared their concerns regarding South Asian dietary practices. ​

Results: The high intake of oil, saturated fat, carbohydrates, and salt in the traditional South Asian diet was associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, as reflected by participants’ concerns and reported family histories of diabetes (70), hypertension (53), and high cholesterol (52). Despite above-average health consciousness, only 48.2% of respondents reported regularly reading nutrition labels, and just 15.6% frequently tracked macronutrients. Furthermore, a generational shift toward fast food—driven by Western acculturation— escalates the concern. When combined with existing dietary patterns, this trend further amplifies the cardiometabolic risk within the South Asian community.

Discussion: Our findings highlight diet as a modifiable risk factor driving the high prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions within the South Asian community. While cultural retention remains strong, many young adults expressed interest in healthier adaptations of traditional recipes—presenting a critical opportunity for intervention. Future efforts should prioritize culturally tailored nutritional education, ingredient-focused awareness campaigns, and the development of modified recipes. By promoting informed food choices without compromising cultural identity, we can address elevated health risks more effectively. These insights support sustainable, community-based strategies to improve long-term health outcomes among South Asian populations worldwide.