New Delhi: The latest Economic Survey highlights a growing crisis of obesity in India, attributing 54% of the nation's disease burden to unhealthy eating habits. The report, presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, stresses that obesity is becoming a serious issue and calls for urgent preventive measures to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The Survey points out that obesity is significantly affecting India’s adult population. It emphasizes that to fully benefit from the country’s demographic dividend, there needs to be a shift towards healthier eating patterns and a balanced diet.

According to a report from the Indian Council for Medical Research, the surge in processed foods high in sugars and fats, combined with a lack of physical activity and limited access to a variety of nutritious foods, is worsening both obesity and micronutrient deficiencies.

Statistics reveal that the adult obesity rate in India has more than tripled. The rise among children is also notably steep, ranking India third globally, behind Vietnam and Namibia, as per the World Obesity Federation.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data shows that urban areas have a higher incidence of obesity compared to rural regions. In urban areas, 29.8% of men are affected, compared to 19.3% in rural areas. For adults aged 18-69, the obesity rate among men has risen from 18.9% in NFHS-4 to 22.9% in NFHS-5, and among women from 20.6% to 24%.

The survey notes that the problem is compounded by an ageing population in some states. For instance, in Delhi, 41.3% of women and 38% of men are obese. In Tamil Nadu, the rates are 37% for men and 40.4% for women, while in Andhra Pradesh, 36.3% of women and 31.1% of men are affected.

To address this growing concern, the Survey calls for immediate and effective measures to encourage healthier lifestyle choices across the country.

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