New Delhi: India’s achievement of its long-term goal to become a developed economy also hinges on its population losing weight, the Economic Survey 2023-24 had indicated. As India is posed to capitalise on its demographic dividend—a large youth population—it is crucial that the population’s health improves. Rising obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyles are threatening this potential.
The Economic Survey 2023-24 had flagged the urgent need for Indians to adopt a balanced diet to harness demographic dividends fully. Obesity is highlighted as a significant concern, with the survey noting a rise in obesity rates among adults
Obesity in India
Data from the National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5) indicates that obesity among men aged 18-69 increased to 22.9 per cent from 18.9 per cent in the previous survey (NFHS-4). Similarly, for women, the rate rose to 24.0 per cent from 20.6 per cent .
“Obesity is emerging as a serious concern among India’s adult population. According to National Family Health Survey 5 (NFHS-5), the percentage of men facing obesity in the age bracket 18-69 has increased to 22.9 per cent in NFHS-5 from 18.9 per cent in NFHS-4. For women, it has increased from 20.6 per cent (NFHS-4) to 24.0 per cent (NFHS-5),” the survey stated.
Unhealthy diets, excessive social media usage, prolonged screen time, and sedentary lifestyles are increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. These factors also undermine India’s economic potential by affecting the working-age population.
Experts want thinner India for better economy
Experts have stressed the urgency of addressing these health issues to boost India’s economic prospects. They want individuals o monitor their waist size, according to a ToI report.
Dr Neelam Mohan, senior director and head of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and liver transplantation at Medanta Medicity, highlighted the importance of government intervention in combating obesity effectively: “Govt involvement is crucial in driving the momentum needed to combat obesity effectively.”
Dr Mohan pointed out that addressing obesity and related health issues like diabetes and heart disease can also help alleviate the burden of associated ailments, such as fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and strokes. She noted the worrying trend of young adults experiencing cardiac issues, which were previously uncommon in this demographic.
Want to lose weight? You are what you eat
Emphasising individual responsibility in weight management, Dr Mohan said, “You are what you eat.” She pointed out that dietary habits significantly impact weight management, contributing 80-90 per cent of the effect compared to physical activity. She stressed the importance of educating young parents and adolescents about nutritious eating habits to curb obesity from teenage years into adulthood.
Urban India is more obese than Bharat
Data from NFHS-5 also illustrates that obesity is more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural regions, with 29.8 per cent of urban men facing obesity versus 19.3 per cent of rural men, and 33.2 per cent of urban women versus 19.7 per cent of rural women.
“Combined with an ageing population in some states, obesity presents a concerning situation. Preventive measures must be taken to enable citizens to have a healthier lifestyle,” the survey added. It also noted that the NFHS-5 Survey coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially increasing sedentary lifestyles; a potential reversal in this trend in NFHS-6 would be a positive sign.
What can the government do to shed weight
Dr Girdhar Gyani, director general of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), recommends integrating Body Mass Index (BMI) into the national policy for preventive healthcare.
“Increased screen time is the primary culprit for the current situation,” he said. Gyani advocates for starting with BMI awareness and then promoting better dietary habits, physical activity, and reduced screen time.He flagged the importance of ongoing awareness efforts about health issues, including stroke, cervical cancer vaccination for women, and annual vaccinations.
However, Gyani stressed the need for promoting awareness about BMI as a crucial next step, explaining that when BMI surpasses 25, individuals are at higher risk of health problems, with a BMI over 30 indicating obesity.
Obesity root cause of problems
Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, founder chairman of Narayana Healthcare, identified obesity as the root cause of most contemporary medical problems. He noted that many early-stage diseases due to obesity are reversible, and emphasised the importance of individuals knowing their health metrics.
“Know your number” is his key message, urging individuals to be aware of their body weight, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and other critical health parameters.For obese individuals, Dr Shetty recommended undergoing preventive checkups to obtain baseline readings of various health metrics. “An obese person feels I can walk a hundred miles. I have no problem,” he said.
Dr Shetty stressed the importance of understanding that perceived fitness level does not always correlate with actual fitness and advocated for comprehensive evaluations of heart, kidney, liver, and other organs since obesity affects all bodily systems.Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the National IMA Covid Task Force, highlighted waist circumference as a simple and affordable way to assess health risks.
How to reduce waist size? Is it easy?
“Focusing on waist circumference is the most accessible and cost-effective approach, as it can be easily measured without the need for laboratory tests,” he said. Reducing waist size can improve health markers such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and lessen the likelihood of chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
He also emphasised the importance of educating children about health, starting from ages 10 to 12, with carefully curated information to avoid misinformation. This approach ensures children receive correct guidance for maintaining well-being during their developmental years.NFHS-5 data shows that the prevalence of abdominal obesity is higher in women compared to men in India.
Dr Anupam Sibal, group medical director and senior pediatric gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospital in Delhi, highlighted the need to prevent advertising of any products or services that risk individuals’ well-being, due to potential negative consequences on public health.
He called for stricter regulations and guidelines on advertising harmful products.In summary, the Economic Survey 2023-24 and various expert opinions underscore the critical need for India to address rising obesity and unhealthy lifestyles to harness its demographic dividend and ensure long-term economic growth.
