Case report of a female western Indian vegetarian with obesity

South Asians are defined as those indigenous to the Indian subcontinent - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. This ethnic group is a unique population with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome even at a lower body mass index (BMI). Should they also have increased BMI, the risk for development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications are further magnified. Strong cultural perceptions about ideal body weight, lack of awareness about the race and ethnicity-specific risks, and knowledge gaps regarding different dietary patterns among the healthcare providers confound further the metabolic issues pertinent to South Asians living in North America.

In this case study of a South Asian patient, we present asynchronous co-management of obesity by an obesity specialist and the primary care provider in a university-based clinic.

Intense lifestyle interventions including a custom-tailored Indian vegetarian meal plan and weekly injectable Semaglutide was offered to the patient as treatment plan. The patient lost 59 pounds, and BMI changed from 34.1 kg/m² to 23.5 kg/m^2.

Intensive lifestyle interventions with custom-tailored dietary changes, regular physical activity and behavior modifications combined with appropriate pharmacotherapy can be very successful in the management of obesity among South Asians living in North America.