Malnutrition is still a major problem for below poverty line people in India. At the same time, obesity has become a problem in the urbanized and more affluent populace. Indians have always consumed a diet rich in carbohydrates (rice, rotis), which was not a problem in the past, when we were engaged in hard physical labor.  However, now that we are less physically active and are consuming more salt, sugar, preservatives and junk food, our diet is predisposing us to diabetes.  Evidence also shows that Indians are susceptible to having a greater degree of insulin resistance. All of these factors are leading to an increase in obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, known as the metabolic syndrome