Spice for Life
The University of Warwick has teamed up with the award-winning Lasan Restaurant in Birmingham to create a delicious range of innovative, contemporary and healthy South Asian recipes.
Obesity and diabetes expert Professr Sudesh Kumar of Warwick Medical School has developed the recipes with award winning chef Aktar Islam for the recipe book entitled ‘Spice for Life’. The book offers healthier versions of classic South Asian dishes and is being distributed free of charge through GP surgeries and community centres.
Professor Kumar’s research carried out at Warwick Medical School has focused on UK levels of obesity and obesity-related diseases. There has been a dramatic increase in prevalence of diabetes in people of South Asian origin and they are four to five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Europeans. A high-fat diet is thought to be one of the major contributors to increasing obesity and obesity-related diseases among South Asians.
Prof Kumar said “We all know that obesity is now a major problem in the UK. Currently, it is a major focus of research in Warwick Medical School.
He added “If we all took a few simple steps to reduce portion sizes, eat a little less salt, sugar and fat (oil) and made it a point to be a bit more physically active this will go a long way in containing this obesity epidemic. What all of us have to now do is to change our habits so that we incorporate these healthy habits as part of our daily routine.”
Over 30,000 deaths a year are caused by obesity in England alone and it is estimated the condition costs the NHS in excess of £500 million a year. Obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and strokes are a major concern for the Health Service. According to current trends, the Department of Health is predicting more than 12 million adults and one million children will be obese by 2010.
Battling Obesity: A healthy curry
ideasforlife.tv have produced a video about Prof Sudesh Kumar's research. Watch it now or visit the ideasforlife.tv website to watch other video's about research into obesity.
You can download a copy of the 'Spice for Life' recipe book free of charge here - download the book now 
For more information, contact Kelly Parkes, Communications Officer, Warwick Medical School, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150483
