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The rising incidence of obesity in the country is also a worrying picture. According to the National Family Health Survey, approximately one in four adults is overweight or obese. In some states, this figure has reached 50 percent.

Obesity Health Risks

Obesity Health Risk: Obesity in India is no longer just a lifestyle issue; it has rapidly emerged as a serious health threat. It is directly linked to a number of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Despite this, while blood pressure checks are commonplace at every clinic visit, obesity is often overlooked. This neglect is now becoming a major cause for concern.

The rising incidence of obesity in the country is also worrying. According to the National Family Health Survey, nearly one in four adults is overweight or obese. In some states, this figure has reached 50 percent. Significantly, this problem is not limited to cities; it is rapidly spreading in rural areas as well. Statistics show that a large number of women and men in villages are also struggling with this problem. So, let us now explain why obesity isn't checked as frequently as blood pressure.

Obesity is no longer a lifestyle issue

There was a time when obesity was considered a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle. But now it has become the root cause of many serious diseases. Fat accumulation around the abdomen is considered particularly dangerous, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Globally, the situation is also rapidly worsening. Obesity cases have doubled in the last 15 years and tripled in the last 30 years. This clearly indicates that the problem is spreading rapidly.

How is modern lifestyle increasing the risk?

Changing lifestyles have completely transformed eating and daily habits. Today's food is readily available, cheap, and often high in fat, salt, and sugar. According to the World Health Organization, a large population of the world is unable to engage in adequate physical activity. Another challenge in India is that a large number of people cannot afford a balanced and healthy diet. This impact is clearly visible on children, where obesity is rapidly increasing due to low physical activity and high-calorie foods. The 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study estimates that more than 14.4 million children in India are obese.

Why is regular checkup as important as blood pressure?

Regular blood pressure checks have become common because they are easy and reveal early signs of risk. The same principle applies to obesity. Simple methods like body mass index and waist size can identify early risk factors, but they are still not part of routine clinical checkups. Early detection can prevent major diseases through small changes. Furthermore, now that obesity is recognized as a medical condition, the social stigma associated with it will also diminish.

Treatment is no longer limited to dieting.

A balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep remain the most important measures to control obesity. However, in severe cases, this may not be sufficient. Medical science has also made significant advances, and surgical options such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are now considered safer and more effective. These not only help with weight loss but also help regulate the body's metabolism and appetite.