Why in news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his recent Mann Ki Baat address, highlighted the rising obesity crisis in India, particularly among children, noting that one in eight Indians is affected. He urged people to cut oil consumption by 10% each month and emphasized the need to tackle obesity for a healthier nation.

Following up on social media, he nominated prominent personalities to raise awareness and strengthen the fight against obesity.

What’s in today’s article?

• Scale of Obesity in India
• Health Risks Associated with Obesity
• Reasons for Rising Obesity in India

Scale of Obesity in India

• Obesity in India has been increasing steadily, as indicated by the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS).
• The percentage of overweight/obese women rose from 20.6% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 24% (NFHS-5, 2019-21), while for men, it increased from 18.9% to 22.9%.
• Urban areas recorded significantly higher obesity rates than rural regions.
• Abdominal Obesity Concerns
  • A 2023 study in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia found that abdominal obesity, measured by waist circumference, affected 40% of women and 12% of men in India.
• Childhood Obesity on the Rise
  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern. NFHS data shows that the percentage of overweight children under 5 years increased from 2.1% (2015-16) to 3.4% (2019-21).
  • Projections from the World Obesity Atlas 2022 estimate that by 2030, obesity prevalence will reach 10.81% among children aged 5-9 years and 6.23% among those aged 10-19 years.

Health Risks Associated with Obesity

• Obesity is often referred to as the "mother of all diseases" due to its strong link to life-threatening conditions.
• According to the WHO, obesity significantly increases the risk of:
  • Cardiovascular diseases – A leading cause of death and disability in India, occurring about 10 years earlier than in other countries.
  • Diabetes – India has the highest number of diabetes cases globally, with 101 million affected.
  • Cancer – The number of cancer cases is projected to rise from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025, as per ICMR data.
  • Osteoarthritis – A common obesity-related joint disorder.
• Impact of Childhood Obesity
  • Excess weight in childhood and adolescence poses immediate and long-term risks, including:
    • Increased likelihood of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) earlier in life.
    • Adverse psychosocial effects, such as stigma, discrimination, bullying, and lower academic performance.
    • Higher chances of obesity persisting into adulthood, leading to further health complications.
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now account for about 60% of all deaths in India, making obesity a critical public health concern.

Reasons for Rising Obesity in India

• Unhealthy Diets and Processed Foods
  • The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and unhealthy diets is a major driver of obesity in urban India.
  • These foods contribute to visceral fat accumulation and increase the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases.
• Nutritional Deficiencies and Economic Barriers
  • Low-income households, especially those relying on the public distribution system, consume more carbohydrates (rice and wheat) due to affordability issues.
  • Nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, pulses, dairy, and animal-based foods are expensive, making healthy eating inaccessible to many.
  • While obesity is currently more prevalent among urban middle-class populations, it is rising among the rural poor as well.
• Lack of Physical Activity
  • A study in The Lancet Global Health found that nearly half of all Indians do not get sufficient physical activity.
  • Indoor sedentariness due to desk jobs and digital devices, combined with unsafe and uninviting outdoor environments, limits exercise.
  • Factors such as:
    • Lack of cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways
    • Poorly lit streets and rising crime rates
    • Shrinking green spaces for recreation
      discourage physical activity, leading to higher obesity rates in cities and towns.
• Environmental Factors
  • Air pollution contributes to inflammation and metabolic disorders, further increasing obesity risk.
  • Without clean, green, and safe urban environments, physical activity remains difficult, fueling obesity growth.