Obesity Crisis in India: Causes and Solutions
Obesity Crisis in India has become a major health concern across the globe, and India is no exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people globally suffer from obesity. In India, the situation is even more alarming, with every 4th person struggling with obesity.
This growing health crisis demands urgent attention, especially in urban areas, where lifestyle changes are contributing to the rise in obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple way to measure a person’s body size by using their weight and height. Doctors often use BMI to check if someone is obese.
For adults, having a BMI of 30 or higher is usually considered obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity can increase the chances of developing serious health problems like:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Although BMI is related to body fat, it has some limitations. The CDC points out that things like age, gender, ethnicity, and muscle mass can affect how BMI relates to body fat. BMI doesn’t separate fat from muscle or bone and doesn’t show where the fat is stored in the body. Despite these issues, BMI is still widely used because it’s an affordable way to estimate body size compared to other methods. It’s also important to understand that weight discrimination can have harmful effects on health too.
When Did Obesity Become a Major Problem in India?
Obesity in India became a significant issue after globalization and modernization took hold in the 1990s. With the introduction of processed and fast foods, dietary habits shifted drastically. Traditional meals like sarson ka saag, makki roti, and litti chokha have been replaced by pizzas, burgers, soft drinks, chips, and instant noodles. Advertisements for these unhealthy foods have also played a big role in shaping our eating habits.
What is Obesity?
Before we dive deeper, it’s essential to understand what obesity means and how it differs from being overweight. Obesity and overweight are often confused, but there’s a key distinction between the two. Both are measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI).
- If your BMI is over 25, you are considered overweight.
- If your BMI exceeds 30, you are categorized as obese, placing you in a high-risk zone for health issues.
Let us Understand with an Example
Let’s take the case of Ravi, a 35-year-old man with a height of 5 feet 9 inches and a weight of 85 kg. Ravi’s BMI is 28, putting him in the overweight category. Due to his sedentary lifestyle, Ravi faces an increased risk of developing diabetes and heart problems. On the other hand, a sumo wrestler, Yoku, of the same age, height, and weighing 100 kg has a BMI of 32.7, classifying him as obese. However, Yoku is fit due to his regular training, as his body has more muscle than fat. This highlights the importance of considering other factors like waist circumference and body fat percentage, beyond just BMI.
What are the Symptoms of Obesity to Look Out for?
Obesity doesn’t always have specific symptoms you can easily spot, but doctors use certain factors to diagnose it. These factors include:
- Excess fat around the stomach area (visceral fat): If there’s more fat stored in the abdomen compared to other parts of the body, it could be a sign of obesity.
- Waist size: Men with a waist size larger than 40 inches and women with a waist size over 35 inches might be considered obese.
- BMI over 30: A body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 is often used to diagnose obesity.
While there are not clear symptoms, these factors can help doctors determine if someone is obese.
What are the Causes of Obesity?
Obesity happens when you eat more calories than you burn through daily activities and exercise over a long period. These extra calories build up and cause weight gain. But it’s not always just about eating too much or not being active enough. While these are common reasons for obesity, there are other causes that you can’t control.
Some key causes of obesity include:
- Genetics: Your genes can affect how your body turns food into energy and stores fat.
- Aging: As you get older, you lose muscle and your metabolism slows down, making it easier to gain weight.
- Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep can change your hormones, making you hungrier and crave high-calorie foods.
- High stress: Stress can cause your body to produce hormones that make you eat more and store more fat.
- Pregnancy: Weight gained during pregnancy can be hard to lose and may eventually lead to obesity.
Certain medical conditions can also cause weight gain, including:
- Metabolic syndrome: A group of conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar that increase the risk of obesity.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormone imbalance that can lead to weight gain.
- Prader-Willi syndrome: A rare condition that causes extreme hunger.
- Cushing syndrome: A condition where your body has high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain.
- Hypothyroidism: A condition where your thyroid doesn’t produce enough important hormones.
- Osteoarthritis and other pain-causing conditions: These can reduce your activity level, leading to weight gain.
How Obesity Impacts Health?
Obesity isn’t just about physical appearance; it leads to severe physical and psychological consequences.
Physical Impacts:
Obesity increases the risk of several life-threatening diseases such as:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Stroke
- Sleep Apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Infertility, and more.
Psychological Impacts: Obesity can also harm mental health, lowering self-esteem, and confidence. Many people suffer from depression, anxiety, and societal shame due to their weight, which further compounds their health issues.
Who is Most Affected by Obesity?
Obesity affects a broad section of society, but certain groups are more vulnerable. In India, 1 in 4 people are obese, with urban populations being the hardest hit. Middle-aged people, particularly women and children, are most likely to be affected by this crisis. Obesity also disproportionately impacts individuals with a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits.
Many factors can increase a person’s risk of becoming obese.
Genetics: Some people inherit genes that make it easier for them to gain weight and body fat.
Environment and Community: Where you live, work, or go to school can affect your eating habits and activity levels. You might be at a higher risk of obesity if you:
- Live in a neighborhood with limited healthy food options but lots of fast-food restaurants.
- Haven’t learned how to cook nutritious meals.
- Believe you can’t afford healthier foods.
- Don’t have access to safe places to play, walk, or exercise in your area.
Psychological and Other Factors: Mental health can also play a role. For instance, depression might lead to emotional eating, causing weight gain. Poor sleep patterns can make you crave high-fat, high-carb foods during the day. Quitting smoking is great for your health, but some people may gain weight after stopping. It’s important to focus on healthy eating and exercise while quitting smoking.
Medications: Certain medicines can increase the risk of weight gain, such as:
- Corticosteroids (for autoimmune diseases)
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Beta-blockers (for high blood pressure)
How is Obesity Diagnosed?
Doctors often use BMI (Body Mass Index) to estimate a person’s weight based on their height. But there are more accurate ways to measure body fat, like:
- Skinfold thickness tests
- Waist-to-hip comparisons
- DEXA scans (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry)
- Imaging tests, such as ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI scans
Doctors may also run tests to check for health risks linked to obesity. These could include:
- Blood tests for cholesterol and glucose
- Liver function tests
- Diabetes screening
- Thyroid tests
- Heart tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Measuring your waist size can also predict your chances of developing obesity-related health issues.
Obesity complications: what are they?
Obesity can lead to more than just weight gain. When you have a lot of body fat compared to muscle, it puts extra pressure on your bones and internal organs. It can also cause inflammation in your body, which may increase the risk of certain cancers. Obesity is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes as well.
Researchers have found that obesity is linked to many serious health problems, some of which can be life-threatening if not addressed. These complications include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Certain cancers (like breast, colon, and endometrial cancer)
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Fatty liver disease
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea and other breathing issues
- Arthritis
- Infertility
What is the Treatment for Obesity?
If you are struggling with obesity and finding it hard to lose weight on your own, medical help is available. You can start by seeing your primary care doctor, who might refer you to a weight specialist. In many cases, your doctor will work with a team that includes a dietitian, therapist, or other healthcare professionals to support your weight loss journey.
The first step in treatment often involves making lifestyle changes, like improving your diet and increasing physical activity. If these changes aren’t enough, your doctor may suggest medications or, in some cases, weight loss surgery. For children with obesity, doctors usually focus on lifestyle changes but may prescribe medications if needed.
Are there any lifestyle and behavioral changes that can help with weight loss?
To help with weight loss, a healthcare team can suggest healthier food options and create an eating plan that works for you. According to experts, sticking to a balanced eating plan over time can help you lose weight and keep it off.
Regular exercise is also important. Doing 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity each week, like walking, swimming, or joining a fitness class, can improve your strength, stamina, and metabolism.
Counseling or support groups can help you deal with things like anxiety, depression, or emotional eating, which might be affecting your weight.
Are there any medications prescribed for weight loss?
Doctors may prescribe weight loss medications if diet and exercise alone haven’t worked, especially if your BMI is 27 or higher and you have obesity-related health problems.
These medications work by either reducing your appetite or preventing fat absorption. Some of the common prescription medications approved for short-term use (up to 12 weeks) include:
- Phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia)
- Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda)
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
- Orlistat (Alli, Xenical) – this one is also approved for children 12 and older.
Sum up,
Due to the rising rates of obesity and related health issues, communities and governments are focusing on promoting healthier food choices and physical activities to help prevent and treat obesity. On a personal level, you can play a role in preventing weight gain by getting regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking for 20 to 30 minutes each day. It’s also important to eat a balanced, heart-healthy diet rich in nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Additionally, try to limit high-calorie foods and those high in unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, to occasional treats. By making these changes, you can help maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall well-being.
