THE FATNESS EPIDEMIC
India Today|September 20, 2021
THE STRESS AND SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE INFLICTED BY THE PANDEMIC HAVE TRANSLATED INTO WEIGHT GAIN FOR MANY, TRIGGERING AN ALTOGETHER NEW SET OF PROBLEMS
SONALI ACHARJEE
THE FATNESS EPIDEMIC

When Samira (name changed) stru­ggled with childhood obesity three years ago, her lawyer mother took her to a dietician in their home city of Kolkata. Samira was able to maintain a normal BMI (body mass index) up to Febru­ary 2020 when she turned 13. Then, Covid­19 struck and on March 25, the country went into total lockdown. Like much else, Samira’s exercise classes, too, came to a stop. The teenager, who had a mobile phone of her own, found herself surrounded by bags of ‘emergency food’ such as biscuits, cake, bread, and chocolate. As the months progressed, Samira’s mum found it increasingly difficult to control her daughter’s calorie intake. “It got so stressful, and the pandemic was so demotivating that as a family we began to order in more food, consume more processed food. On an average day, we would eat at least one packet of instant noodles, two packets of sugared biscuits, and two packets of fried namkeen,” she says. As a result, mother and daughter gained 12.5 kg and 10 kg, respectively, in the past year and a half. “I knew I was getting fat but avoided the weighing scale and so never realized how much I had put on. Then my clothes got tight, people began com­eeting and I knew I was in trouble.”

This story is from the September 20, 2021 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 20, 2021 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA TODAYView All
On the Waterfront
India Today

On the Waterfront

Exquisite cocktails, a delicious mezze platter and a stunning view of the sun dipping into the Mandovi river makes Feri Bar, north Goa's new haunt.

time-read
1 min  |
April 08, 2024
Fine Dining Minus the Fuss
India Today

Fine Dining Minus the Fuss

Papa's recasts familiar Indian dishes in modern, artful forms, liberated from geographical boundaries.

time-read
1 min  |
April 08, 2024
Breath of Fresh (Ai)r
India Today

Breath of Fresh (Ai)r

With the first thin laptop designed with artificial intelligence (AI) in the forefront, Apple's new MacBook Air M3 is future ready.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 08, 2024
Creature Comforts
India Today

Creature Comforts

Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore brings an elevated luxury experience to tiger country

time-read
2 mins  |
April 08, 2024
Sleek Sophistication
India Today

Sleek Sophistication

The newest Range Rover builds on its well-earned cache and also promises comfort and style

time-read
2 mins  |
April 08, 2024
With Delhi at its Hearth
India Today

With Delhi at its Hearth

Under the mentorship of Michelin star chef Vineet Bhatia, the eponymous Dhilli at the Oberoi, New Delhi celebrates its formative first year.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 08, 2024
COLOUR ME GREEN
India Today

COLOUR ME GREEN

Even with the inclusions, fractures, and fissures that are integral to an emerald, it's allure remains undiminished. The question is what enhancements should you allow?

time-read
4 mins  |
April 08, 2024
THE LATITUDE THAT LONGITUDES ACCORD
India Today

THE LATITUDE THAT LONGITUDES ACCORD

As the world of whiskies expands beyond the Scottish highlands, America, Ireland and Japan, Spice dots the map with new world centres of spirited joy.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 08, 2024
WHY LUXURY TRAINS ARE THE SMARTEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN 2024
India Today

WHY LUXURY TRAINS ARE THE SMARTEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN 2024

Forget high-speed rail. Steve King applauds the revival of sumptuous - and soporific - trains, from the Royal Scotsman to the relaunched Orient Express

time-read
3 mins  |
April 08, 2024
HOLIDAY IN THE WILD
India Today

HOLIDAY IN THE WILD

WITH KENYA OFFERING VISA-FREE TRAVEL NOW, THE AFRICAN WILDLIFE FANTASY HAS COME HOME TO ROOST.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 08, 2024