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Obesity is even worse for health than believed earlier. India can’t ignore that | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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Obesity is even worse for health than believed earlier. India can’t ignore that

2 min read

Obesity and its Growing Threat in India

The battle against malnutrition in Indian communities is overshadowed by a burgeoning obesity crisis, posing severe health risks, notably cancer. 

Current Situation and Statistics

  • Nearly 20% of Indian households have all adults classified as overweight, and 10% as obese.
  • States like Tamil Nadu and Punjab show that 40% of households have all adults classified as obese.
  • Urban areas exhibit obesity clustering rates twice those of rural areas.

Transgenerational and Environmental Impacts

  • Obesity within households fosters unhealthy dietary and lifestyle patterns across generations.
  • Shared environmental and behavioral factors contribute to this clustering.

Link to Cancer

  • The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies excess body weight as a significant cancer risk.
  • Obesity is linked with at least 13 types of cancers, including colorectal, breast (postmenopausal), and pancreatic cancers.
  • An IARC study (2023) found high BMI increases cancer risk by 17% among those with cardiovascular diseases.

Biological Pathways and Economic Implications

  • Pathways include hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, hormonal disruption, and cardio-metabolic dysfunction.
  • Cancer treatment costs can be financially catastrophic for families, especially with multiple affected members.

Prevention and Government Initiatives

  • Target obesity prevention at the family level.
  • The government plans to establish Day Care Cancer Centres across district hospitals by 2025-26.
  • Expand programmes targeting high-risk households, particularly in southern states and urban areas.

Regulatory and Community-Based Interventions

  • Implement taxes on sugary beverages and mandate nutrition labeling.
  • Encourage households to adopt healthier shopping, cooking, and exercise habits.
  • Create walkable neighborhoods and promote physical activity in urban/work environments.

Addressing India’s obesity crisis requires immediate action. Preventive measures now could avert future cancer risks, underscoring the urgency of comprehensive obesity prevention strategies.

  • Tags :
  • Obesity
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