By: Amit kumaR Agarwal
India has two major problems that are fast gaining gigantic proportions. Obesity and Mental Health.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi recently addressed the problem of obesity, “by making small changes in our food habits, we can make our future stronger, fitter and disease-free.”
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, PM Narendra Modi, in his recent Mann Ki Baat address, emphasized the need for nationwide awareness and collective action to reduce obesity, particularly through lower edible oil consumption. He nominated prominent individuals across India to lead an awareness movement.
There have been very many conclaves in the last three-months all over India to make people aware about the problem of obesity.
Here is a summarized review of the same.
Introduction
Obesity has become a major public health challenge in India, affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Driven by unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors, obesity is rising at an alarming rate, impacting both urban and rural populations. The shift towards processed foods, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes has further contributed to this growing crisis.
The Government of India has launched several initiatives, including the Fit India Movement, NP-NCD, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Eat Right India, and Khelo India, to promote healthier lifestyles, better nutrition, and physical activity. These programs aim to encourage long-term behavioural change, ensuring a healthier future for all. As India moves towards Amrit Kaal, a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is being adopted to tackle obesity through policy reforms, community engagement, and regulatory measures.
Strengthening public health systems, promoting sustainable food habits, and increasing awareness are key to reversing this trend and safeguarding future generations from obesity-related health risks.
Understanding Obesity: Definition and Causes
Obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is defined as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. The commonly used metric to classify obesity is Body Mass Index (BMI), where a BMI of 25 or above is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese. In India, a person is considered overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 23.0 and 24.9 kg/m², and obese if their BMI is 25 kg/m² or higher. Morbid obesity occurs when a person’s BMI is 35 or more.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI), previously known as the Quetelet index, is a simple way to check if an adult has a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²). To find BMI, take a person’s weight (kg) and divide it by their height (m) squared.
Healthy BMI Range
A normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Global Statistics
The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been rising steadily among both adults and children worldwide. Between 1990 and 2022, the percentage of children and adolescents (aged 5–19 years) with obesity increased fourfold, from 2% to 8%. During the same period, the proportion of adults (aged 18 and older) with obesity more than doubled, rising from 7% to 16%.
India’s Obesity Statistics
- As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21), overall, 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men are overweight or obese
- As per the NFHS-5, (2019-2021) in the category of ages 15-49 years, 6.4 % of women and 4.0 % of men, are obese.
- There has also been an increase in the percentage of children under 5 years who are overweight (weight-for-height) from 2.1 percent in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 3.4 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) at All-India level.
Government of India's Strategic Framework for Obesity Prevention / Policy Innovations and Measurable Outcomes
- Recognizing obesity as a critical public health concern, the Government of India has launched comprehensive, multi-pronged initiatives to prevent, manage, and reduce obesity at all levels. The interventions are strategically designed by multiple ministries to promote a holistic approach that integrates health, nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and lifestyle modifications.