Pakhi Sahni
Over the five years to 2022, IBIS world estimates that the obesity rate among adults aged 18 and older has increased an annualized 1.8% to 33 people per 100 individuals. Although this chronic disease has some correlation to genetics and family history, it can generally be prevented with changes in diet, lifestyle, or other environmental factors. Thus, advances in research continue to explore prevention and treatment strategies. However, emerging research shows that certain cultures have overall higher rates than others, perhaps due to the differences in diets. Similar to studies done in the past to identify factors related to obesity rates, I would like to study and compare the standard American diet to the typical Indian diet. Disease, specifically obesity, rates are far lower in India than America. Therefore, the work done in this study will give the community of chefs and consumers a sense of how to better cook and prepare food in healthier ways. It will also provide insight to the medical community and nutritionists about the link between diet, health, and culture.