Last Updated:April 30, 2025, 15:01 IST
The prevalence of abdominal obesity in the country was found to be 40% in women and 12% in men.
In India, BMI has conventionally been used to measure obesity. Prevalence of obesity in India is 40.3%. Zonal variations were seen as follows: south highest at 46.51% and east lowest at 32.96%.
The ever-growing trend of obesity worldwide has garnered global attention over the past three decades. In India, BMI has conventionally been used to measure obesity. Prevalence of obesity in India is 40.3%. Zonal variations were seen as follows: south highest at 46.51% and east lowest at 32.96%. The prevalence of abdominal obesity in the country was found to be 40% in women and 12% in men. The findings show that 5–6 out of 10 women between the ages of 30–49 are abdominally obese. The association of abdominal obesity in women is stronger with older age groups, urban residents, wealthier sections, and non-vegetarians.
For too long, obesity has been treated as a personal failing, a matter of willpower and individual choices. While personal responsibility certainly plays a role, this simplistic view ignores the complex web of factors that contribute to this crisis. We’re talking about a perfect storm of readily available, highly processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and societal pressures that make healthy choices increasingly difficult. Dr Raman Goel, Consultant Diabetic and Bariatric Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai shares all you need to know:
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Consequences of Obesity:
Obesity is a disease which can result in a lot of damage to your body. People with severe obesity are more likely to have other diseases. These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnea, and many more.
Diabetes: Obesity is a major cause of Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes occurs when blood sugar is too high for your body to manage.
Hypertension: Obesity is a major cause for high blood pressure (also known as “hypertension”). About three out of four patients with high blood pressure have obesity. High blood pressure increases the risk of other diseases such as heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, and kidney disease.
Heart Disease: The American Heart Association considers obesity a major cause of heart disease. Large studies show that the risk for heart disease increases with obesity
Cancer: As body mass index (BMI) increases, so does your risk of cancer and death from cancer. Obesity can have a dramatic impact on your body. The conditions related to obesity can be detrimental to your health. However, many of these complications can be avoided or cured through weight loss.
Therapies available
Other therapies such as ESG (Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty), can help boost weight loss to fast track to your goal. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure that uses an endoscopic suturing (stitching) device to reduce the stomach’s size and volume by about 70%.
People who had endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty lose approximately 12% to 20% of their body weight within one year . Such therapies when combined with exercise, dietary changes and other behavioral therapies have proven to be beneficial and avoid the risk of being caught with any impacts of Obesity.
Obesity is a complex problem with no easy solutions. But by taking individual action, supporting community initiatives, reforming healthcare, and advocating for government policies, we can turn the tide on this silent epidemic and create a healthier future for ourselves and generations to come. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start making changes today.
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Location : First Published:April 30, 2025, 15:01 IST