Lifestyle Factors in Diabetes Management: Insights from the Kerala Paradox for the Indian Diaspora

With an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes, India ranks second in the world for the highest number of cases. In particular, Kerala, a state in southern India, faces what is known as the "Kerala Paradox", where strong socio-economic indicators fail to translate into lower levels of lifestyle-related diseases. As a result, Kerala has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the country, ranking among the top three. This research paper aims to thoroughly analyse the Kerala Paradox and explore the factors contributing to it. It then extends the analysis through primary data to assess whether these lifestyle factors also influence the prevalence of diabetes in the Delhi NCR region. The latter half of the paper builds on findings from the literature review and primary research to evaluate the implications for diabetes management across the Indian diaspora. Keywords: India, Kerala paradox, Diabetes, Lifestyle factors, Physical activity, Dietary habits, Diabetes Management