Long Antiquity of Low Resting Metabolism And Recent Shift To Sedentary Lifestyle Leading To Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among South Asians: A Multi-Ethnic Study Of Asian Indian Tribes

Abstract

Migration of modern man out of Africa led to differential environmental exposures. Our ancestors, who settle to
hot and humid climate, maintained genes for heat adaptation developing low resting metabolism thereby,
leading to susceptibility to obesity. Recent shift to sedentary lifestyle among the Asian Indians have further
aggravated the risk of CVD. A multi-ethnic study of nine tribal groups from three states of India was undertaken
comprising 2156 participants (including 1055 males and 1090 females) aged >=20 years. Anthropometry, blood
pressures, blood glucose, and body composition were all measured using standard techniques. The average
resting metabolism is very low among both male (1300 Kcal) and female (1000 Kcal). The prevalence of low
physical activity is very high both in males and females (males=26.1 % and females=29.7%). There is a
significant correlation (p<0.001) between resting metabolism and CVD risks factors even after controlling of
age, sex, ethnicity, and physical activity. The significant predictors for resting metabolism, fat free mass, and
percentage body fat were found to be waist circumference, and body mass index. Low resting metabolism due to
long antiquity of adaptation to hot climates with recent shift to low physical activity were found to have a
significant association with CVD risks among the tribal groups of Indian subcontinent making them genetically
disadvantageous. Maintaining higher resting metabolic rate through active lifestyle seems to be of utmost
importance for better cardiovascular health among the people of Indian origin.