Overview of Obesity in India

India has experienced a significant epidemiological shift over the last two decades, with overweight and obesity emerging as major health challenges. According to the National Family Health Survey round 5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), nearly one in four men and women in India is obese. The prevalence varies from 8% to 50% across different states and settings.

Statistics and Trends

• The proportion of overweight and obese individuals has doubled in the past 15 years and tripled over the last three decades.
• A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research estimates that among adults over 20 years, one in three has abdominal obesity, one in four has general obesity, and one in five has high blood cholesterol levels.
• The World Obesity Federation notes India’s rapid annual increase in childhood obesity.

Factors Contributing to Obesity

Several societal and lifestyle factors contribute to the growing obesity problem in India:

• Transition from a calorie-deficient to a calorie-sufficient nation with inequitable food distribution.
• Easy access to high-fat, salt, sugar (HFSS), and ultra-processed foods (UPF).
• Urbanization leading to sedentary lifestyles, with 50% of Indians not meeting recommended physical activity levels.

Economic and Health Impacts

Obesity is recognized as a complex chronic disease with significant economic and health implications:

• The global cost of obesity was estimated at $28.95 billion in 2019, equating to 1.02% of India's GDP. This is projected to rise to 1.57% by 2030.
• Obesity is linked to numerous diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders.

Current Initiatives and Challenges

While initiatives like ‘Khelo India’, ‘Fit India Movement’, and ‘Eat Right India’ exist, they often place undue responsibility on individuals without addressing broader systemic issues.

Proposed Solutions

Tackling obesity requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach:

• Public awareness campaigns to educate on obesity as a disease requiring prevention and management.
• Promotion of regular physical activity through improved urban infrastructure.
• Higher taxation on HFSS and UPF foods, with subsidies for healthier options.
• Incorporating body measurements in health check-ups and promoting discussions on healthy weight.
• Guidelines for the use of anti-obesity medications.
• Awareness and routine practices in workplaces regarding healthy weight.
• Engagement of educational institutions in promoting healthy diets and eating habits.
• Involvement of multiple ministries to ensure cohesive policy implementation.
• Focus on generating and communicating research evidence on obesity.
• Efforts from food industries to promote healthy eating through corporate social responsibility.

Conclusion

Addressing obesity is crucial for India's health and economic prosperity. It requires holistic, coordinated efforts across various sectors to achieve significant health improvements and economic gains.