By 2050, India could see over 440 million people classified as overweight or obese, making it the second highest globally. The study projects significant increases in obesity among men, women, and children. Experts advocate for refined measurements of obesity and effective public health interventions to combat this trend.
A report published in The Lancet journal predicts that by 2050, India may have over 440 million individuals classified as overweight or obese. This projection estimates that there will be approximately 218 million overweight men and 231 million overweight women, positioning India as the second highest globally in terms of obesity rates, trailing only behind China.
The study, conducted by an international team including researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research, indicates a concerning trend. As of 2021, nearly a billion men and over a billion women worldwide aged 25 and above were already classified as overweight or obese, with India accounting for around 180 million of these individuals.
Globally, this number could escalate to nearly 3.8 billion by mid-century, representing over half of the projected adult population. The report highlights that significant increases in obesity are also expected in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated growth rate of 254.8%. Meanwhile, India will also see a rise in overweight children, with projected figures of 16 million boys and over 14 million girls affected.
The analysis suggests that the 15-24 age group in India may face the highest burden of obesity, with over 22 million men and nearly 17 million women anticipated to be affected by 2050. Emmanuela Gakidou, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the dire need for effective public health interventions to tackle this issue.
In his February 2023 radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of addressing obesity for national health. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30, is linked to various health risks, including metabolic diseases, heart disease, and an increased chance of developing cancer.
Experts are advocating for a more refined approach to diagnosing obesity, suggesting that additional measures such as waist circumference should be considered alongside BMI for a more accurate health assessment. New categories, ‘clinical obesity’ and ‘pre-clinical obesity’, have been proposed to better differentiate between chronic health conditions and risk factors associated with excess weight.
The report from The Lancet paints a troubling picture of rising obesity rates in India and worldwide. With projections indicating a substantial increase in overweight individuals by 2050, urgent actions are required to address this growing health crisis. Public health strategies must evolve to incorporate new diagnostic methods and prioritize at-risk populations, particularly the youth.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
