Obesity Crisis in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the rising health issue of obesity in India, referencing a study from the British medical journal, Lancet. The study anticipates that by 2050, 440 million Indians will be obese.

Current Statistics

• As of March 4, on World Obesity Day, approximately 80 million Indians are currently obese.
• Out of these, 10 million are between the ages of 5-19 years.
• Over 100 million Indians suffer from diabetes, with the nation leading in juvenile diabetes cases.
• India also has one of the highest burdens of cardiovascular disease globally.

Contributing Factors

• Increased prosperity and urbanization leading to sedentary lifestyles.
• Traditional Indian cuisine, rich in carbs, is not suited for sedentary lifestyles.
• The influence of high-carb junk foods and online gaming.
• Similar trends observed in countries like the United States and China.

Historical Context and Policies

• Early republic policies focused on food shortages and malnutrition.
• Green Revolution and public distribution systems prioritized staples like wheat, rice, and sugar.
• These policies have resulted in carb-heavy diets unsuitable for modern health standards.

Health Paradox

India faces a dual health issue: a large number of obese individuals coexist with high rates of malnutrition and anemia, especially among women. This paradox is partly due to the same carb-heavy dietary policies.

Proposed Solutions

• Prime Minister suggests reducing edible oil consumption by 10% and regular exercise.
• Promoting the consumption of millets and providing incentives for poultry and pisciculture for better protein access.
• Public-interest health programs and mandatory junk food warnings to prevent a potential health epidemic.