By 2050, India may see more than 440 million overweight individuals, the second highest globally. This includes significant rising numbers among children and youth. The analysis emphasizes the urgent need for intervention, especially with obesity-related health risks. Experts recommend improved measurement methods for assessing obesity.
By the year 2050, it is anticipated that India may have over 440 million individuals classified as overweight or obese, according to a report published in The Lancet journal. This figure is projected to include 218 million men and 231 million women, positioning India as having the second-highest number of overweight individuals globally, following China. The research was conducted by an international team, including members from the Indian Council of Medical Research, as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021.
In 2021, nearly half of the world’s adults, approximately one billion men and over one billion women aged 25 and older, were reported as overweight or obese. In India, the figures were almost 180 million, comprising 81 million men and 98 million women. By 2050, it is estimated that the global population of overweight and obese individuals could increase to nearly 3.8 billion, encompassing 1.8 billion men and 1.9 billion women.
The researchers highlighted that while major populations in China, India, and the United States will continue to represent a significant portion of those with overweight and obesity, a dramatic increase of 254.8 percent is forecasted in the sub-Saharan African super-region. Additionally, the study projects that around 16 million boys and over 14 million girls in India aged 5-14 years may also be affected, marking India as the second highest globally after China.
Among the youth aged 15-24, India is expected to face the greatest burden, with over 22 million men and nearly 17 million women potentially experiencing obesity in 2050. Lead author Emmanuela Gakidou from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington described this unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity as “a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure.”
The report’s findings align with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advocacy for addressing obesity, emphasizing the need for a healthier nation. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30, is associated with various adverse health effects including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and increased risks of specific cancers.
Experts have called for a reevaluation of obesity measurement methods. The authors of a Lancet Commission report have suggested adopting new diagnostic criteria such as waist circumference or the waist-to-hip ratio, alongside BMI. They criticized BMI as an inadequate measure of health, proposing categories of ‘clinical obesity’ and ‘pre-clinical obesity’ to more accurately reflect health risks associated with obesity.
The projected rise of overweight and obese individuals in India by 2050 highlights a significant public health challenge, with the nation potentially becoming the second highest globally in this regard. With rising numbers among youth and a growing need for effective interventions, it is essential for the government and health professionals to prioritize this issue. The need to adopt more precise measures for diagnosing obesity also underscores the complexity of health risks associated with weight.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
