Summary
The significant increase in the cases of obesity in India presents a grave public health
concern considering the link between overweight and greater incidences of non-communicable
disease. The problem of increasing prevalence of obesity in India has affected children and
adults alike in all sections of society. Two of the most notable risk factors for the problem are
urbanization and economic development. Obesity and its related chronic diseases have adverse
impacts on societies as well as the economy. The problem can be mitigated by increasing public
awareness about the problem and its negative health consequences. The main rationale behind
these recommendations is based on the fact that public health initiatives that seek to encourage
healthier ways of life often result in a favorable outcome on people’s health.
Nature and Magnitude of the Problem
The significant increase in the cases of obesity in India presents a grave public health
concern considering the link between overweight and greater incidences of non-communicable
disease (Luhar, Mallinson, Clarke & Kinra, 2019). According to Luhar, Timaeus, Jones &
Cunningham (2020), the prevalence of obesity in the country is rising at a faster rate than the
global average. For example, the prevalence of obesity among women rose from 8.4% to 15.5%
from 1998 and 2015. On the other hand, the rate among men rose from 2.2% to 5.1% during the
same period. The rapid increase has also been associated with the marked rise in the health
challenge posed by non-communicable diseases.
Who is Affected and What are the Determinants of and Risk Factors?
The problem of increasing prevalence of obesity in India has affected children and adults
alike in all sections of society. Ahirwar & Mondal (2018) noted that over 135 million people in
India were affected by obesity. The prevalence rate of the disease in the country varies
depending on age, socio-economic status, gender, and geographical environment. The prevalence
rate also varies from rural to urban areas and state-wise. Furthermore, the prevalence rate among
women is significantly greater that the prevalence rate among men. Urban states and populations
with higher socio-economic status were discovered to be having greater prevalence rates. Basu
(2017) also noted that a survey of 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th graders in India’s public schools established
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that 33% of the schoolchildren were obese. Bansal (2019) further pointed out that a recent study
by the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that approximately 5% to 8.8% of
India’s school children are obese.
A number of studies have identified several determinants and risk factors for the problem.
Two of the most notable risk factors for the problem are urbanization and economic
development. Luhar et al (2019) noted that during the early phases of economic growth and
urbanization, obesity and overweight prevalence rates tend to be greater among people of upper
socio-economic status possibly because of greater economic capability to satisfy and surpass
nutritional requirements. Luhar et al (2019) further noted that as people’s incomes rise, the
incidence of obesity rises among the rural and poor populations too.
Basu (2017) also pointed out that fast foods have increasingly become a staple at India’s
malls, shopping centers, and in its growing cities. Basu (2017) suggested that childhood obesity
is primarily a problem in today’s India, where American-style malls, newfound luxuries like air
conditioning and cars, and fast foods have significantly altered the lifestyles of Indian families
with greater purchasing power. Additionally, kids are leading far more sedentary lifestyles than
before, with the pressure to better their performance in academics more intense. Whatever little
free time kids have is spent on mobile phones, video games and computer games.
Health, Economic, and Social Consequences of the Problem
Obesity and its related chronic diseases have adverse impacts on societies as well as the
economy. According to the OECD (2019), obesity and its related chronic illnesses like
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes limit life expectancy in OECD countries by an
average of 2.7 years. Obesity also adversely affects learning outcomes as school children with a
healthy weight have a 13% greater likelihood of reporting good grades in school. Obesity also
reduces workers’ and employment productivity, which ultimately reduces GDP by 3.3%. OECD
countries also spend approximately 8.4% of their health budgets to treat the effects of obesity
over the coming 30 years. Ahirwar & Mondal (2019) also pointed out that abdominal obesity is
among the key risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease in India. Several studies have
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demonstrated that obesity is among the major financial and medical burdens for the Indian
government.
Recommendations to Address the Problem
A number of steps can be taken to address the problem of obesity in India. To start with,
the problem can be mitigated by increasing public awareness about the problem and its negative
health consequences. Secondly, government health agencies should make efforts to promote the
advantages of leading healthy lifestyles, healthy eating habits, and encouraging more physical
activity. Government programs seeking to minimize the rising prevalence rates of obesity should
focus on school children and poorer women in the developed states of India since the rising trend
in prevalence amongst these populations has been significant.
Rationale for the Recommendations
The main rationale behind these recommendations is based on the fact that public health
initiatives that seek to encourage healthier lifestyles often have a favorable outcome on
population health. Consequently, such actions can serve as an excellent investment for India.
Thousands of cases of chronic non-communicable diseases can be avoided by implementing
public health initiatives to supply information, regulate or limit unhealthy lifestyle choices, and
increase access to healthy options. Lastly, implementing measures to reduce and prevent obesity
can help India to realize greater workforce productivity and increase in employment.
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References
Ahirwar, R., & Mondal, P. R. (2019). Prevalence of obesity in India: A systematic
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Bansal, G. (2019). Health 2019: 27 Million Indian Kids will be Obese by 2030 – Dr Gorika
Bansal. Retrieved from: https://www.ndtv.com/health/decade-end-special-how-incidence-
of-childhood-obesity-increased-in-the-past-decade-and-what-parents-2152279
Basu, M. (2017). India, notorious for malnutrition, is now land of obesity. CNN. Retrieved from:
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2017/10/health/i-on-india-childhood-obesity/
Luhar, S., Timæus, I. M., Jones, R., Cunningham, S., Patel, S. A., Kinra, S., … & Houben, R.
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