India’s burden of rising obesity, the hefty cost to pay, Pg 6

Key Highlights

Rising Obesity Trends in India

• NFHS-5 (2019-21): 1 in 4 adults in India is obese.
• Childhood obesity in India is increasing at one of the world’s fastest rates.
• ICMR Study (2023):
  • 35 crore Indians (1 in 3 adults) have abdominal obesity.
  • 25 crore suffer from generalized obesity.
  • 21 crore have high blood cholesterol levels.

Societal and Economic Burden

• WHO Report: 50% of Indians fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
• Obesity-related deaths: Estimated 3.4 million deaths globally per year.
• Economic Cost (2019): $28.95 billion (₹1,800 per capita), 1.02% of India’s GDP.
• Projected Cost (2030): ₹4,700 per capita, 1.57% of GDP.

Causes of Rising Obesity

• Urbanization & Sedentary Lifestyles: Reduced physical activity.
• High Fat, Salt & Sugar (HFSS) & Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF): Cheap and easily available.
• Cultural Normalization: Obesity seen as a personal issue rather than a health crisis.

Policy and Programmatic Solutions

1. Awareness Campaigns: Promote obesity as a disease linked to diabetes, hypertension, liver disorders.
2. Physical Activity Promotion: Urban planning for bike lanes, parks, open gyms.
3. Regulation of HFSS & UPF: Higher taxes, subsidies for healthy food.
4. Health Monitoring: Make BMI, weight & waist circumference tracking mandatory in healthcare.
5. Workplace & School Awareness: Routine body fat analysis, healthy school canteens.
6. Coordinated Interventions: Multi-ministry approach—health, urban development, agriculture.
7. National Nutrition Mission Revamp: "Suposhan Abhiyan" for mindful underfeeding & supplementation.
8. Research & Data Collection: Public health professionals to analyze epidemiological trends.
9. Food Industry Regulation: Encourage ethical marketing, CSR funds for health awareness.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Tackling obesity needs a holistic approach involving government, industry & society.
• Higher taxation on unhealthy foods, physical infrastructure for exercise, and nationwide awareness campaigns are essential.
• Lessons from Japan’s school dietitian model can be adopted in India.

Mains Mock Question:

"India is facing a dual burden of undernutrition and rising obesity. Critically analyze the factors contributing to obesity and suggest policy measures to combat it."