Meet Dr Nitin Kapoor

Dr Nitin Kappor

Dr. Nitin Kapoor completed his DM & Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology at CMC, Vellore. He then completed his PhD research on clinical and genetic indicators of Obesity from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
He has been conferred with the prestigious AR Seth gold medal by the Endocrine Society of India(2020), The young investigator award by the Sri Lankan Endocrine Society(2019), Melbourne Research Scholarship(2016 - 2020), Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR University Gold Medal in Endocrinology(2015), AV Gandhi award for Excellence in Endocrine research(2014),The IJEM Award for Excellence in Endocrine writing(2014) and several other awards.
Nitin is a Professor of Endocrinology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

We asked Nitin to share his experience of studying a PhD with the Nossal Institute.

Why is Public Health Important?

It is important as it impacts the life of large number of people.

Research Title:  Obesity indicators and their impact on the cardio-metabolic disease in an asian -Indian ethnic population

Why did you choose your research topic?

Being a clinical endocrinologist and practicing for over a decade, managing obesity has been my passion. However, in my clinical practice I found that many patients from the south Asian ethnic descent have very high cardiometabolic risk despite not having significant obesity. Since there was paucity of Indian literature on these aspects from longitudinal intervention studies, I choose this domain of studying clinical and genetic indicators of obesity in this region.

Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?

When I presented my PhD data as a platform presentation at the International society of Endocrinology meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I was awarded the young investigator award for the year 2019. It was an honor for me  and the two countries I represented. I am very  proud of the research that was carried out through this PhD.

How has your study changed your career?

This PhD and its related publications have provided me a niche in the field of obesity. This work has been cited today in different clinical practice guidelines.

What would you say to someone considering PhD study at Nossal?

You are at the right place. My supervisors provided me exceptional support during my PhD. The sky is the limit. Deep dive!


Dr Nitin Kapoor has published many papers as a direct outcome of his PhD

1. Kapoor N, Lotfaliany M, Sathish T, Thankappan KR, Thomas N, Furler J, Oldenburg B, Tapp RJ. Prevalence of normal weight obesity and its associated cardio-metabolic risk factors - Results from the baseline data of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program (KDPP). PLoS One. 2020 Aug  5;15(8):e0237974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237974. PMID: 32841271;

2. Kapoor N, Lotfaliany M, Sathish T, Thankappan KR, Tapp RJ, Thomas N, Furler J, Oldenburg B. Effect of a Peer-led Lifestyle Intervention on Individuals With Normal Weight Obesity: Insights From the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program. Clin Ther. 2020 Aug;42(8):1618-1624. doi:  10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.06.007. Epub 2020 Jul 24. PMID: 32718783.

3. Kapoor N, Lotfaliany M, Sathish T, Thankappan KR, Thomas N, Furler J, Oldenburg B, Tapp RJ. Obesity indicators that best predict type 2 diabetes in an Indian population: insights from the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program. J Nutr Sci. 2020 Apr 6;9:e15. doi: 10.1017/jns.2020.8. PMID: 32328239;

4. Kapoor N. Jiwanmall SA, Nandyal MB, Kattula D, Paravathareddy S, Paul TV, Furler J, Oldenburg B, Thomas N. Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) Estimation - A Novel Cost-Effective Obesity Indicator for Visceral Adipose Tissue Estimation. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2020 Sep 16;13:3261-3267. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S266277. PMID: 32982356;

5. Kapoor N, Furler J, Paul TV, Thomas N, Oldenburg B. The BMI-adiposity conundrum in South Asian populations: need for further research. J Biosoc Sci. 2019 Jul;51(4):619-621. doi:  10.1017/S0021932019000166. Epub 2019 Apr 4. PMID: 30944050.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30944050/

6. Kapoor N, Furler J, Paul TV, Thomas N, Oldenburg B. Ethnicity-specific cut- offs that predict co-morbidities: the way forward for optimal utility of obesity indicators. J Biosoc Sci. 2019 Jul;51(4):624-626. doi: 10.1017/S0021932019000178. Epub 2019 Apr 4. PMID: 30944046.

7. Kapoor N, Chapla A, Furler J, Paul TV, Harrap S, Oldenburg B, Thomas N. Genetics of obesity in consanguineous populations - A road map to provide novel insights in the molecular basis and management of obesity. Lancets - EBioMedicine. 2019 Feb;40:33-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.01.004. Epub 2019 Jan 10. PMID: 30638866;

8. Kapoor N, Furler J, Paul TV, Thomas N, Oldenburg B. Normal Weight Obesity: An Underrecognized Problem in Individuals of South Asian Descent. Clin Ther. 2019 Aug;41(8):1638-1642. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.05.016. Epub 2019 Jul 1. PMID: 31270012.

9. Anoop S, Kapoor N.* Normal weight obesity: A hidden pandemic. Obesity and Diabetes, Chapter 26, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53370-0_26.

10. Kapoor N. Thin Fat Obesity: The Tropical Phenotype of Obesity. 2021 Mar 14. In: Feingold KR, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000–. PMID: 33734655.