OBESITY
Causes of Obesity:
- Unhealthy Diet – High-calorie, processed foods with excess sugar and fats.
- Lack of Physical Activity – Sedentary lifestyle with minimal exercise.
- Genetics – Family history and inherited traits can influence body weight.
- Medical Conditions & Medications – Hormonal imbalances (e.g., hypothyroidism, PCOS) and certain drugs (e.g., steroids, antidepressants) may contribute.
- Psychological Factors – Stress, emotional eating, and mental health disorders.
- Sleep Deprivation – Poor sleep patterns can disrupt metabolism and increase appetite
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By 2050, more than half of the global adult population and a third of children and adolescents are expected to be overweight or obese. The report indicates that, compared to 1990, obesity rates worldwide have surged by 155.1% in males and 104.9% in females.
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A particularly concerning trend is the sharp rise in obesity among older adolescents, specifically those aged 15 to 24. Among young men, the number of overweight or obese individuals increased from 0.4 crore in 1990 to 1.68 crore in 2021, with projections reaching 2.27 crore by 2050. Similarly, for young women, this figure rose from 0.33 crore in 1990 to 1.3 crore in 2021, and is expected to reach 1.69 crore by 2050.
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The report estimates that by 2050, India will have 21.8 crore overweight or obese men and 23.1 crore women, bringing the total to 44.9 crore—nearly one-third of the country’s projected population.
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The prevalence of overweight and obesity among boys in India increased from 0.46 crore in 1990 to 1.3 crore in 2021, with a projected rise to 1.6 crore by 2050. For girls, this number grew from 0.45 crore in 1990 to 1.24 crore in 2021, and is expected to reach 1.44 crore by 2050.
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These findings are particularly alarming given India's already high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. Obesity significantly contributes to these conditions and is a key factor in the early onset of Type 2 diabetes, even among teenagers
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Indian Scenario
As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21), 24% of women and 23% of men in India are classified as overweight or obese. Additionally, 56.7% of women and 47.7% of men have a high-risk waist-to-hip ratio, which is a key indicator of obesity-related health risks. Among individuals aged 15-49 years, obesity affects 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men. The prevalence of overweight children under the age of five (based on weight-for-height measurements) has also risen at the national level, increasing from 2.1% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 3.4% in NFHS-5 (2019-21) |
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A major factor contributing to the rising obesity epidemic is the increased consumption of processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, and fat. According to the study, between 2009 and 2019, countries like Cameroon, India, and Vietnam recorded the highest annual growth in per capita sales of ultra-processed food and beverages.
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There has been a noticeable shift away from traditional diets and active lifestyles. Traditional diets were generally low in animal products, salt, refined oils, sugars, and flours, whereas modern dietary patterns are high in energy but low in essential nutrients. These new eating habits consist largely of refined carbohydrates, high-fat foods, processed meats, and packaged foods.
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Urbanization has further contributed to decreasing physical activity, with longer commutes, desk jobs, and sedentary lifestyles becoming more common. This shift has also led to increased work-related stress, poor sleep, and mental health issues, all of which are linked to obesity.
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The study also highlighted the rising obesity rates among women. Several factors contribute to this trend, including traditional societal roles, lack of time for physical activity, limited access to nutritious food, and dietary practices that prioritize the needs of other family members over their own. Additionally, many women have restricted access to healthcare and obesity awareness programs, making it even more challenging to address the issue effectively
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The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat that increases health risks. According to Body Mass Index (BMI) classifications, individuals with a BMI below 18.5 are considered underweight, those between 18.5 and 24.9 fall within the normal range, individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are classified as overweight, and those with a BMI above 30 are categorized as obese.
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However, relying solely on BMI to diagnose obesity can lead to both overestimation and underestimation. Some individuals with excess body fat may not have a BMI exceeding 30 but still face obesity-related health issues.
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Conversely, people with high muscle mass may have a BMI over 30 while being physically fit and not requiring medical intervention. In India, many individuals with BMI below 30 still carry abdominal fat, which can negatively impact organ function.
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A recent Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission report introduced a broader definition of obesity, incorporating factors such as height, weight, waist circumference, muscle mass, and organ function rather than relying solely on BMI.
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The new definition eliminates the overweight category and introduces "preclinical obesity", which is described as a physical condition rather than a disease. The Commission explains that, in some individuals, preclinical obesity may progress to clinical obesity, whereas in others, it may not directly impair organ function.
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In India, obesity is categorized differently, using the terms "stage 1" and "stage 2" obesity instead of preclinical and clinical obesity.
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Under Indian guidelines, stage 1 obesity is diagnosed when an individual has a BMI over 23—with waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio being optional criteria—but does not exhibit functional limitations or obesity-related chronic conditions.
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Stage 2 obesity, according to Indian criteria, is diagnosed when a person has a BMI above 23, meets at least one additional physical marker of obesity (such as waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio), and experiences obesity-related complications or limitations in daily activities
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For Prelims: Body Mass Index (BMI), Obesity
For Mains: GS III - Science & Technology
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