Indians are getting fatter with each passing day as was reported by the National Family Health Service (NFHS-5) earlier this year. 33.33% of people living in urban areas belonged to the overweight and obese category compared to 19.7% in rural households, an increase from the last survey.
Now, a new study conducted by ICMR has revealed an increased level of obesity and overweight people in both rural and urban populations.
Obese and overweight is decided on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of a person. A BMI of more than 30 is considered obese and between 25 to 29.9 belongs to the group overweights.
The study found that 47.7% of urban adults are obese while 14.8% percent are overweight. In contrast, in rural areas, 46.7 percent of people are obese, while 14.8 percent are overweight.
The study included 10,350 individuals belonging from Hyderabad, Telangana and four villages from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
The study commented on the fact that individuals belonging to the age group of 40-59 years and involved in clerical/skilled/semi-skilled jobs posed a higher chance of being obese.
This comment indicates that those who are less likely to be involved in physically tiring jobs and more prone to be sitting for long hours are more prone to being obese.
Healthcare in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is among one of the highest ranked in the country. In Niti Ayog’s annual health index 2021, Telangana ranks third while Andhra Pradesh ranks fourth.
Other factors that increase the chance of obesity are higher income, overnutrition, as Telugu States are among the most developed states in the country with an ever increasing GDP. A gradual change in lifestyle, environment and a lack of awareness regarding one’s health could lead to such situations too.
This data is alarming and the only way possible to avoid any serious effect is to eat healthy, excercise and focus on health.
