Insights into knowledge, perceptions, and lifestyle barriers in obesity and type 2 diabetes prevention and management among Indian men: a small-scale survey

People from south Asian heritage are underrepresented in health research globally (1) . They have a lower threshold for obesity and are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to the White population (2) . While south Asian women are often more included in research, there is a gap in understanding men’s perceptions and knowledge regarding obesity and T2DM, as well as barriers to adhering to dietary and physical activity recommendations. Understanding these barriers will help design appropriate interventions to tackle the unique challenge of T2DM in this community. The aim of this survey was to explore perceptions and knowledge regarding obesity and T2DM, as well as barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle amongst Indian adult men (>18 years) living in the UK. An online survey was distributed in English language. Survey questions were based on the Health belied model (HBM). Participants rated statements on their perceptions and knowledge of obesity and T2DM as well as lifestyle barriers. Ordinal logistic regression was used to assess the impact of place of birth and educational level on the outcomes. A total of 102 Indian men completed this survey. While most respondents are aware of the risks associated with obesity and T2DM and recognised the significance of diet and physical activity in lowering these risks, 27.5% of respondents did not believe in their effectiveness. Additionally, 24% perceived T2DM as difficult to control once it is diagnosed. Interestingly, 46.1% of participants do not think that their ethnicity puts them at a higher risk of T2DM. Perceived barriers to following a healthy diet and physical activity regimen were cultural and traditional dietary preferences (18.6%), lack of motivation and willpower (18%), lack of knowledge about healthy diet (17.6%) and limited access to healthy food options (16.4%). Furthermore, 57.8% of respondents do not feel that they have enough support to help them reduce obesity and T2DM risk. When asked about the most effective measure to reduce the risk of obesity and T2DM, 64.7% responded “regular visits to the GP”. Additional respondents emphasized the importance of education, access to information regarding healthier options to traditional Indian foods as well as routine medical assessment. Birthplace (British-born vs. non-British-born) and educational level did not seem to impact perceptions and knowledge, but this outcome may be limited by the small sample size. This small-scale survey highlights the importance of education in understanding obesity and diabetes risk, although it may not be the primary barrier for the lack of adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Rather, developing culturally specific health interventions and increased support can help overcome barriers and improve men’s health in this population. Larger scale surveys may be able to corroborate these findings.