Context:
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India is witnessing a rapid rise in obesity and lifestyle-related disorders, creating a serious public health and economic challenge.
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Recent national surveys and medical studies highlight obesity as not just an individual issue but a growing governance and development concern affecting productivity, healthcare costs, and social wellbeing.
Key Highlights:
Rising Obesity Trends in India
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NFHS-5 (2019–21) reports that 1 in 4 Indian adults is obese.
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Childhood obesity in India is rising among the fastest globally.
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ICMR Study (2023) shows:
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Around 35 crore Indians suffer from abdominal obesity
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About 25 crore have generalized obesity
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Nearly 21 crore face high cholesterol levels
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Societal and Economic Burden
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WHO Report: Nearly 50% of Indians do not meet recommended physical activity standards.
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Obesity contributes to diseases such as:
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Diabetes
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Hypertension
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Liver disorders
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Obesity-related deaths: 3.4 million deaths globally each year.
Economic Costs
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2019 cost estimate:
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$28.95 billion, around ₹1,800 per capita
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Nearly 1.02% of India’s GDP
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Projected cost by 2030:
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₹4,700 per capita
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Around 1.57% of GDP
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Causes of Rising Obesity
Urbanization and Sedentary Lifestyle
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Increased desk-based jobs and reduced physical activity.
Dietary Shift towards HFSS and UPF
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High consumption of HFSS foods (High Fat, Salt, Sugar)
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Rise of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) due to affordability and availability.
Cultural Normalization
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Obesity often seen as a personal lifestyle choice rather than a public health crisis.
Policy and Programmatic Solutions
Awareness and Behaviour Change
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Promote obesity as a disease burden, not merely cosmetic concern.
Physical Activity Promotion
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Urban planning measures such as:
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Bike lanes
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Parks and open gyms
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Walkable cities
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Regulating Unhealthy Foods
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Higher taxation on HFSS and UPF products.
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Subsidies for healthier food alternatives.
Health Monitoring Systems
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Mandatory tracking of:
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BMI
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Weight
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Waist circumference in routine healthcare.
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Workplace and School-Based Measures
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Routine body fat analysis in schools and offices.
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Healthy school canteen norms.
Multi-Ministry Coordination
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Integrated approach involving:
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Health
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Urban Development
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Agriculture
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Education
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Nutrition Mission Revamp
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Strengthening schemes like Poshan Abhiyan / Suposhan Abhiyan with focus on balanced nutrition.
Research and Data Strengthening
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Better epidemiological tracking by public health professionals.
Food Industry Accountability
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Ethical marketing regulations and CSR support for health awareness.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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NFHS-5 provides key obesity prevalence data.
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ICMR (2023) highlights abdominal and generalized obesity burden.
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HFSS foods and UPF are major drivers of lifestyle diseases.
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Obesity increases risk of NCDs: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases.
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Rising obesity has significant GDP-linked economic costs.
Relevant Mains Points:
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Obesity is a major governance challenge linked with:
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Public health expenditure
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Loss of workforce productivity
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Rising burden of non-communicable diseases
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India requires a holistic strategy combining:
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Fiscal tools (taxation, subsidies)
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Urban design reforms
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Strong school and workplace interventions
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Regulation of food industry practices
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Global lessons: Japan’s school dietitian model can inspire preventive nutrition systems.
Way Forward:
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India must adopt a whole-of-society approach involving government, industry, and citizens.
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Key priorities include:
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Nationwide awareness campaigns
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Strong regulation of unhealthy food markets
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Infrastructure that encourages active living
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Strengthened nutrition and health monitoring frameworks
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UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 2: Public health governance, policy interventions, nutrition schemes
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GS 3: Economic burden of lifestyle diseases, human capital productivity, food industry regulation