Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Asians must adopt better diet, exercise habits for their children to follow

By Nadeem Badshah

BRITISH ASIAN parents are being urged to set a healthier example for their families after figures showed children of Bangladeshi origin have the second-highest rates of being overweight.


Government data published earlier this year showed that 44 per cent of British-Bangladeshi youngsters aged 10-11 were classed as overweight, second only to those of African origin.

The figure was 37 per cent for children of Indian origin, 40 per cent among British Pakistanis and 32 per cent among white British youths.

In contrast, 14 per cent of British Indian children aged four-to-five were overweight compared to 20 per cent among Pakistanis, 21 per cent among Bangladeshis and 23 per cent among white British school children.

Experts believe more parents need to adopt better diet and exercise habits for their children to follow, as south Asians are already, six times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than their white counterparts.

Dr Mahendra Patel, a senior member of the South Asian Health Foundation, told Eastern Eye: “In terms of parents, lack of education plays a big part. Many are not engaging in healthy lifestyles and diets themselves, which may have an impact on their children.

“The risk of diabetes is already higher inherently.

“Also, children don’t play outside compared to 20-30 years ago.”

He added: “There is a lesser drive-by parents to encourage children to engage in physical activity. They learn from what their parents are doing.

“It’s possibly more in lower socio-economic groups. It would be interesting to see what their lunch boxes contain.

“With the Bangladeshi population, some may not realise the potential of what could happen in developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases later.

“And in deprived communities, they may not be going to the gym, so the example is not being set.”

Statistics showed that on average, 22.4 per cent of children in England aged four to five years, and 34.3 per cent of those aged 10 to 11 years, were overweight in 2017-18. In every ethnic group, a higher percentage of those aged 10 to 11 were overweight compared with kids aged four to five.

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, told Eastern Eye: “It is well known that south Asians have a very different body type, genetic and metabolic composition from westerners.

“The thresholds for being overweight and obese are lower and therefore Bangladeshis are likely to show up as greater numbers in the statistics.

“Huge numbers are now also liable to be at the mercy of ‘western’ junk diets and this can only add to their problems.

“To address these problems, all children should be weighed routinely from birth and any rise in excess weight investigated immediately. Thereafter their body mass index (BMI) should be checked yearly through adolescence with the same investigation offered.

“It is crucial that any unhealthy development be caught as possible early as possible, and that type 2 diabetes, very prevalent among south Asians, is not a consequence of their weight gain.”

Professor Kiran Patel, medical director of NHS England in the West Midlands, said obesity “is a major global challenge and gives rise to risks of cardiovascular disease and cancers. Preventing obesity starts in childhood and therefore good parenting to encourage healthy eating and physical activity is essential.”

More For You

Annabel Croft

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft

Getty Images

Annabel Croft’s Wimbledon trainers prove white sneakers are a timeless smart-casual choice

Highlights:

  • Annabel Croft spotted courtside in statement Gucci trainers during Wimbledon
  • Paired the footwear with a pleated blue dress by Boss for a sporty yet polished look
  • The platform sole offered subtle height without compromising on comfort
  • White trainers remain a key smart-casual trend, suitable for a wide range of outfits

Annabel Croft embraces sporty style at Wimbledon

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft made a notable appearance at Wimbledon this weekend, combining elegance with comfort through a smart-casual ensemble. Dressed in a pale blue pleated dress by Boss, she completed the look with Gucci platform trainers, blending classic tennis aesthetics with modern fashion.

The knife-pleat design of the dress referenced traditional tennis skirts, while the fitted T-shirt silhouette gave the outfit a distinctly athletic feel. Her trainers featured Gucci’s red and green web stripe, offering a designer twist on the classic white trainer trend.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

Highlights:

  • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
  • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
  • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
  • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

 Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

Keep ReadingShow less
Amazon Prime Day 2025

Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members

iStock

Prime Day 2025 brings huge discounts on electronics including Apple, Samsung, Sony and more

Highlights

  • Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
  • Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
  • Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
  • Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals

Biggest electronics sale of the year

Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.

As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Hermes Birkin handbag

The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction

Reuters

Hermes Birkin handbag fetches record £7.4m at Paris auction

Highlights:

  • The original Hermes Birkin bag sold for £7.4m at Sotheby’s Paris.
  • It belonged to British actress and singer Jane Birkin.
  • The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction.
  • It ranks as the second most expensive fashion item sold globally.

A record-breaking sale

The original Hermes Birkin handbag, once owned by British actress and singer Jane Birkin, has been sold for £7.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, setting a new world record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.

The sale, held on Thursday, saw the iconic fashion item exceed all expectations, with Sotheby’s calling it “a startling demonstration of the power of a legend.” The bag is now also the second most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, following the £24 million paid for Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz in 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbie with type 1 diabetes

This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play

Mattel

Mattel introduces first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes to promote inclusion

Highlights

  • Mattel launches new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
  • The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
  • Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
  • Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys

Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range

Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.

The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.

Keep ReadingShow less