[Answered] Rising obesity in India is emerging as a significant public health challenge with considerable economic and social costs. Discuss the factors contributing to increasing obesity rates in India and suggest holistic interventions to address this issue.

India is undergoing a major epidemiological transition, with overweight and obesity emerging as critical public health concerns. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) reports that nearly one in four Indians is obese, with obesity rates doubling in the last 15 years and tripling in the last three decades. The World Obesity Federation highlights that India has one of the world’s steepest increases in childhood obesity.

Factors Contributing to Rising Obesity in India

• Dietary Transition to HFSS and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF): The easy availability of high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods has led to excessive calorie intake.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Urbanization has reduced physical activity levels, with 50% of Indians failing to meet WHO-recommended activity levels. A lack of public spaces, cycling lanes, and urban planning deficiencies further exacerbate this issue.
• Societal Normalization of Obesity: Unlike undernutrition, obesity is not widely recognized as a health crisis. Cultural perceptions associate higher body weight with prosperity, leading to delayed interventions.
• Economic Growth and Changing Food Habits: Rising incomes have led to increased purchasing power for processed foods, while urbanization has led to greater consumption of fast food and sugary beverages.

Holistic Interventions to Address Obesity

• Public Awareness and Structured Communication: A nationwide science-based awareness campaign should highlight obesity as a disease contributing to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and liver disorders.
• Improving Urban Infrastructure for Physical Activity: Government policies must encourage bicycle lanes, open gymnasiums, and access to parks to facilitate regular physical activity.
• Inter-Ministerial Coordination for Nutrition Programs: Policies should involve health, education, urban planning, finance, and agriculture ministries to create a national ‘Suposhan Abhiyan’, focusing on mindful eating, micronutrient supplementation, and obesity prevention.
• Regulating HFSS and UPF Consumption: Higher taxation on ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks. Subsidies for healthier foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Regulating food advertisements targeting children.
• Workplace and School-Based Interventions: Workplaces should incorporate regular weight assessments and awareness campaigns on obesity prevention. Schools should serve nutritious food in canteens, introduce mandatory physical activity programs, and adopt best practices from countries like Japan, where dietitians are part of school networks.

Conclusion

A comprehensive national strategy involving taxation on unhealthy foods, urban infrastructure reforms, workplace and school-based programs, and public health campaigns is essential to reduce obesity rates and ensure a healthier, more productive India.