In his 119th Mann Ki Ka Baat last month, Prime Minister Narendra modified issued a striking warning on India’s growth
Obesity crisisStressing that cases have doubled in just a few years, children being the most affected group.
Its radio program not only underlined the alarming increase in obesity rates, but also the way in which the young generations are increasingly victims of this silent epidemic. Obesity is no longer limited to urban areas or adults; It spreads to rural households and school environments.
India is fighting a silent health crisis as obesity increases in all age groups, which leads to an alarming increase in early mortality related to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Recent data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reveal that almost 24% of women and 22.9% of men are now overweight or obese-a leap accent compared to 2015-2016 figures. Experts warn that this trend, aggravated by bad diets and sedentary lifestyles, threatens to reverse decades of progress in public health.
India is currently leading worldwide in the number of people with diabetes, with approximately 101 million affected. The burden of cancer is also increasing, cases that should go from 1.46 million in 2022 to 1.57 million by 2025, in accordance with the medical research and medical research register program. Cardiovascular diseases remain among the main causes of death and disability, affecting the Indians at least a decade earlier than in other countries.
“A few years ago, the heart attacks hit the Indians at the end of the fifties, which was before a decade younger than Western peers because of the genetic predisposition. Today, obesity has led to this age in the 1930s. It is not only a link. Obesity transforms genetic vulnerability into a non -transmitted giant burden. Visceral fats disrupt metabolism, obstructed arteries and overload organs, “said Dr. Sukriti Bhalla, principal consultant, cardiology, Aakash Healthcare.
Children in the reticle
This upward trend also extends to children. The percentage of children under the age of five who are overweight increased from 2.1% to 3.4% between 2015-16 and 2019-21, according to NFHS data. The projections are even more alarming for older children; The global obesity Atlas 2022 estimates that by 2030, 10.81% of children aged 5 to 9 and 6.23% of the 10 to 19 year olds in India will be obese.
“Children use sweet snacks and screen time than vegetables and playing time. Each day I see children as young as six with weight -related problems, including fatigue, joint pain, even the first signs of insulin resistance. Schools serve fried snacks in canteens and have no executives to provide balanced meals, while parents, overwhelmed by work or disinformation, often reject subtle warnings such as sudden weight or reluctance, “said Dr Sarita Sharma, principal consultant, pediatrics at PSRI hospital.
Obesity punching the rural-urban fracture
Unlike stereotypes, obesity is no longer limited to the rich. Low -income households depending on the rice and subsidized wheat often do not have access to proteins and vegetables. A study of 2022 in the wild noted that 56% of the rural population of India is now consuming foods wrapped each week, compared to 42% in 2015.
“The carbohydrates are cheap; Nutrients are luxury. Rural obesity climbs as the processed snacks invade the villages, “said Dr. Sandeep Kharb, principal consultant, Endocrinology, Asian Hospital. “Low -income households, in particular those based on the public distribution system, tend to consume more carbohydrates through staples such as rice and wheat. We can ask people to eat better, but it is not possible if these foods are unaffordable. Diets among poorer families are often deficient in iron and protein, as foods rich in nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy products and animal -based products are expensive. »»
The obesity epidemic strikes urban India, warn the experts
Dr Neeraj Rayate, consultant, bariatric surgery, consultant, general surgery, Jupiter hospital, Pune observed a significant increase in obesity rates in urban areas. “Cities are drowning in ultra -processed foods, pollution and office -related jobs. This trifecta feeds inflammation, insulin resistance and fat accumulation. This wave has led to a significant increase in related conditions, every third with obesity with acid reflux. »»
Risk brain health
Emerging research underlines how junk food changes the functioning of the brain, accelerating metabolic disorders. A German study in 2023 revealed that even short -term consumption of processed foods such as fries and chocolate disrupts insulin signaling in the brain.
“This new study indicates that obesity begins in the brain. The dysfunction can divert the regulation of appetite, creating a vicious circle of overeating and weight gain. Brain adaptation to unhealthy diets can explain why obesity is so difficult to reverse, ”explains Dr. Praveen Gupta, senior director and head of neurology, Fortis Hospital.
Experts have shared that the obesity epidemic requires a multifaceted approach, including public awareness campaigns, political interventions to make healthy foods more affordable and accessible, and promote physical activity in all demographic data. “Without immediate and concerted efforts, the upward trend of obesity in India is about to lead to increased early mortality and a substantial burden for the health system,” commented Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, CEO and main medical advisor and founder of City X-Ray and Scan Clinic.