In News:

Obesity has emerged as a critical public health issue in India, with rising prevalence across age groups and socio-economic strata. It is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Recognizing its growing burden, the Government of India has adopted a multi-ministerial, community-driven, and policy-integrated strategy to promote healthier lifestyles.

What is Obesity?

• Definition (WHO): Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
• Measurement: Body Mass Index (BMI = kg/m²)
  • Body Mass Index (BMI), previously known as the Quetelet index, is a simple way to check if an adult has a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²). To find BMI, take a person’s weight (kg) and divide it by their height (m) squared.
  • WHO Standard:
    • Overweight: BMI ≥ 25
    • Obese: BMI ≥ 30
  • Indian Criteria (lower threshold):
    • Overweight: BMI 23–24.9 kg/m²
    • Obese: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²
    • Morbid Obesity: BMI ≥ 35

Prevalence of Obesity

Global Trends (1990–2022):

• Children (5–19 yrs) with obesity: ↑ from 2% to 8%
• Adults with obesity: ↑ from 7% to 16%

India-Specific Data (NFHS-5, 2019–21):

• Overweight/obese: 24% women, 23% men
• Obese (15–49 yrs): 6.4% women, 4.0% men
• Children under 5 (overweight): ↑ from 2.1% (NFHS-4) to 3.4%

Causes of Obesity

• Increased consumption of processed, calorie-dense foods
• Sedentary lifestyle and urbanization
• Reduced physical activity
• Environmental and socio-economic factors
• Excessive use of edible oil, salt, and sugar in Indian diets

Key Government Initiatives to Combat Obesity

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases):
  • Integrated under Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres
  • Focus: Screening, early diagnosis, IEC/BCC awareness, and NCD clinics
  • Facilities: 682 District NCD Clinics, 191 Cardiac Units, 5408 CHC Clinics

2. Ministry of AYUSH

• All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA): Specialized treatments (Panchakarma, diet, yoga)
• Ayurswasthya Yojana (2021–22): Funds projects tackling obesity, diabetes, and NCDs
• Research by CCRAS: Validating Ayurvedic lifestyle interventions (Dincharya, Ahara, Yoga)
• Collaboration with CSIR for integrating Ayurveda with modern science

3. Ministry of Women and Child Development

• POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018):
  • Focus: Nutrition for children, adolescent girls, pregnant/lactating women
  • Mission Saksham Anganwadi &Poshan 2.0 (2021): Combines nutrition, health, wellness
  • Use of PoshanVatikas, millet promotion, and fortified food
  • Jan Andolan for community-level awareness

4. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Fit India Movement (2019):
  • Fitness pledges, Fit India School certification, community fitness programs
• Khelo India Programme (2016–17):
  • Sports infrastructure and talent development
  • Promotes sports culture and active lifestyles in youth

5. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Eat Right India Movement:
  • Supply-Side Reforms:FoSTaC, hygiene ratings, food fortification
  • Demand-Side Awareness: Eat Right Schools/Campus, DART Book, Magic Box
• Aaj Se Thoda Kam Campaign: Reduce fat, salt, and sugar intake
• RUCO Initiative: Repurposing Used Cooking Oil into biodiesel
• HFSS Food Labelling: Front-of-pack labels for High Fat, Salt, Sugar foods

Innovative Tools

Tool                                                           Description

DART Book                                          Simple home tests for food adulteration

Magic Box                                           102 school-level food safety experiments

Food Safety on Wheels              Mobile food testing & awareness vans

Fit India App                                       Daily fitness tracking and motivation

India’s Way Forward: Towards Amrit Kaal

• Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach
• Emphasis on lifestyle change, preventive healthcare, and regulation
• Stronger public health infrastructure and education
• Leveraging traditional wellness systems (Ayurveda & Yoga)
• Community empowerment via awareness drives and behavior change