MASALA and MESA study comparison
“Heart problems run in my family, but I didn’t realize weight was only one part of the picture. The assessment gave me a clear place to start.”
Proactive weight care for South Asian health
A healthy BMI isn't the whole story.
South Asian adults can face heart and metabolic health risks at lower body weights. Our clinician-led weight care looks beyond the scale, so you can take action sooner.
- Free online health assessment
- US-licensed provider review
- No insurance required
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Takes about 2 minutes. No payment required to start.
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Medication and supplies included
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What the research found
The standard chart can miss part of the picture.
South Asians can carry more fat in and around the organs, even at lower body weights.
BMI can be useful, but it can't tell you everything. Waist size, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, family history and your overall health matter too.
Among adults classified as normal weight
Two or more cardiometabolic abnormalities
The takeaway
BMI isn't useless. It just isn't the whole picture, especially when other heart and metabolic risk factors are present.
Sources: Flowers et al., Diabetes Care; Shah et al., International Journal of Obesity; Gujral et al., Annals of Internal Medicine. The normal-weight analysis used WHO Asian BMI cutoffs for South Asian and Chinese American participants and standard WHO cutoffs for the other groups. These cohort findings don't predict what will happen for any one person.
From awareness to action
Knowing your risk is useful. Acting on it is better.
Weight management is one practical way to support your broader metabolic health. SurpassMD gives you a simple online path to explore treatment with a licensed provider.
Online medical weight management
Two treatment options. One place to start.
Explore weekly treatment options with straightforward pricing and online support.
Compounded semaglutide
Weekly injection
As low as
$114/month
- Provider-led treatment plan
- Medication and injection supplies
- Free, discreet delivery
- Message your care team anytime
Compounded tirzepatide
Weekly injection
As low as
$177/month
- Provider-led treatment plan
- Medication and injection supplies
- Free, discreet delivery
- Message your care team anytime
HSA/FSA eligible
Klarna available
No insurance required
No price increase when your dose changes
Here's what happens next.
Answer a secure health questionnaire. A licensed clinician reviews it, and if treatment is prescribed, SurpassMD helps coordinate medication and support.
Tell us about your health
Answer the secure health questions online.
Your provider reviews it
A licensed clinician decides whether treatment is right for you.
See what comes next
If treatment is prescribed, we'll help coordinate your medication and support.
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Customer experiences
Why people choose SurpassMD.
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Testimonials reflect real customer experiences. Photos are representative and used to protect customer privacy.
Questions you may have before you start.
The medical intake is where you'll get answers based on your health.
Start my assessmentWhy can South Asian health risk show up at a lower BMI?
Research suggests South Asians may carry more fat around their organs and develop heart and metabolic risks at lower BMIs. But BMI can't diagnose a health condition on its own.
Could this still be right for me if my BMI is in the standard range?
Maybe. It depends on your full health history, your state, the clinical criteria and a licensed clinician's judgment. The assessment is the best place to start.
Does SurpassMD treat heart disease or diabetes?
No. SurpassMD offers online medical weight-management care. This page doesn't promise to prevent, reverse, cure or treat heart disease or diabetes.
Will I definitely get medication?
No. Filling out the assessment doesn't guarantee a prescription. A licensed clinician decides whether treatment is right for you.
Are compounded medications FDA approved?
No. Compounded medications aren't FDA approved. The FDA doesn't review them for safety, effectiveness or quality.
How does the Abound offer work?
Use code ABOUND at checkout to get 20% off your first subscription.
You don't have to figure it all out today.
But you can take the first step.
Discover what GLP-1 treatment options may make sense for you and save 20% on your first subscription as an Abound member.
See if it's right for me Takes about 2 minutes. No payment required to start.