She said there is a combination of factors behind the disease, and diet could be one of them.

'As part of our research, we are trying to understand the role diet plays in diabetes among South Asians who traditionally consume more ghee and fried foods.'

Anand said: 'One thing is clear: once you develop weight, you develop obesity which is the key factor in developing diabetes.'

She feared that the rapid urbanisation of India would play a major role in the spread of diabetes and heart diseases.

'The urban life is a high risk factor in it. It is a difficult problem, but people should be informed about the risk of gaining weight and encouraged to walk and eat modestly.'

Anand, whose parents migrated to Canada from India in the 1960s, said the abandoning of the old Indian lifestyle was definitely a contributory factor in modern-day diseases like diabetes and heart problems.

'Walking, extensive family and social networks and eating home-cooked food prepared by a mother was beneficial, and Indians should continue those old practices,' said Anand who was given the annual Professional Female Award by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) here last month.