A recent study indicates that India could have over 440 million overweight individuals by 2050, with rising obesity rates predominantly affecting its child and young adult populations. The report recommends urgent interventions and highlights the critical need to reassess current obesity measurement methods, as the situation poses serious health implications for Indian society.
A recent global study published in The Lancet journal projects that by the year 2050, India may see an alarming rise in obesity, with over 440 million individuals classified as overweight. This estimate indicates that approximately 218 million men and 231 million women in India could fall into this category, making it one of the highest rates worldwide, second only to China, with other countries like the United States, Brazil, and Nigeria expected to follow.
The research conducted by an international team, including experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research, forms part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Alarmingly, as of 2021, nearly half of the global adult population—over a billion men and a billion women aged 25 and above—were reported as overweight or obese, with India’s figures nearing 180 million, comprising 81 million men and 98 million women.
Looking ahead, the study warns that the global population of overweight or obese adults could surge to approximately 3.8 billion by 2050, representing more than half of the anticipated adult population. The researchers note a significant rise in weight issues, especially in countries like China, India, and the USA, while they project a 254.8 percent increase in obesity rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
Furthermore, the findings suggest a troubling rise in obesity among children in India, with estimates indicating that around 16 million boys and over 14 million girls, aged 5 to 14, might be classified as overweight by 2050. Notably, the study highlights that India might experience the highest prevalence of obesity in the 15-24 age demographic, estimating more than 22 million men and 17 million women affected.
Emmanuela Gakidou, the lead author from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, articulated the severity of the situation by stating, “The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” emphasizing the need to address this growing health crisis. The study is positioned as the most thorough global analysis to date, aimed at assisting governments and public health entities in implementing urgent interventions.
In the context of this public health issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the necessity of combating obesity in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address, advocating for a healthier nation. Obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeding 30, poses various health risks, including metabolic diseases, heart disease, and increased cancer risk among others.
Experts are now calling for a reevaluation of obesity measurement methodologies, emphasizing the limitations of BMI in accurately assessing health. In a recent Lancet Commission report, researchers proposed new criteria to classify obesity, addressing limitations of BMI and introducing categories such as ‘clinical obesity’ and ‘pre-clinical obesity’ to better reflect individual health risks.
In summary, the projected rise in obesity rates in India underscores a significant public health concern. As estimates suggest an increase to over 440 million overweight individuals by 2050, there is an urgent need for effective strategies to tackle this epidemic, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and younger adults. The call for innovative measurement techniques in diagnosing obesity further emphasizes the complexity of addressing this issue comprehensively.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
