Economic Survey highlights need for prevention measures to fight obesity

Economic survey on obesity: The Economic Survey 2023-24 has raised concerns over the growing obesity rates in India and the increased consumption of highly processed foods rich in sugars and fats, noting that 54 per cent of the country's total disease burden is due to unhealthy diets.

Obesity presents a "concerning situation," and preventive measures are necessary to promote a healthier lifestyle, according to the survey tabled in Parliament on Monday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"Obesity is emerging as a serious concern among India's adult population," the survey noted.

To "reap the gains of its demographic dividend," it is crucial for India's population to transition towards a balanced and diverse diet, the survey said.

Citing a report from the Indian Council for Medical Research, the survey observed that the rise in consumption of highly processed foods, along with reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods, exacerbates micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity problems.

Estimates show that the adult obesity rate in India has more than tripled, with the rise among children being the steepest in the world, behind only Vietnam and Namibia, the survey stated, referring to a World Obesity Federation report.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the incidence of obesity is significantly higher in urban India than in rural areas. In urban India, 29.8 per cent of men face obesity versus 19.3 per cent in rural India.

The percentage of obese men in the 18-69 age bracket has increased to 22.9 per cent in NFHS-5 from 18.9 per cent in NFHS-4. For women, the rate has risen from 20.6 per cent (NFHS-4) to 24 per cent (NFHS-5).

"Combined with an ageing population in some states, obesity presents a concerning situation. Preventive measures must be taken to enable citizens to have a healthier lifestyle," the survey said.

In some states, the incidence of obesity is notably high. For example, in the NCT (Delhi), 41.3 per cent of women are obese compared to 38 per cent of men. In Tamil Nadu, 37 per cent of men and 40.4 per cent of women face obesity. In Andhra Pradesh, the obesity rate is 31.1 per cent for men and 36.3 per cent for women.

(With PTI inputs)