As obesity cases rise, focus grows on preventive steps

Why definition is key

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI: India is witnessing a concerning rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity, with recent interventions from the highest levels of government highlighting the urgency of addressing these health challenges — a position experts also backed.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for urgent action to combat India's growing obesity epidemic, emphasizing the need to reduce oil consumption by 10% during his address at the 38th National Games opening ceremony on Thursday.

The PM's concerns were echoed a day later when finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the economic survey 2024-25 in Parliament, highlighting the health risks posed by ultra-processed foods. The survey revealed that nearly 9.6 per cent of rural and 10.64 per cent of urban food budgets are spent on beverages, refreshments and processed foods.

“There is enough research to show that the shift in dietary practices from unprocessed to semi-processed and to ultra-processed food items exposes an individual to a wide range of adverse health outcomes ranging from obesity, chronic inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mental disorders,” the survey stated.

Defining obesity

The push for dietary reform coincides with significant changes in how obesity is diagnosed globally. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology recently published findings that challenge the traditional Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement, established in 1832, as the sole indicator of obesity.