PM’s Clarion Call for a Healthier India

In his monthly Mann Ki Baat address of February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns over the increasing incidence of obesity in the country. The PM highlighted the incidence of rising obesity in the country is not just impacting adults but is even more pronounced among children. In fact, the rate of obesity growth in children is twice that of adults. Let us try and understand why the incidence of obesity is a cause of concern.

What is Obesity

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A person is considered obese if the Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 30. 

Incidence of Obesity in India

According to a study published in the journal of Annals of Neurosciences in 2021, the prevalence of obesity in India was 40.3 per cent. In other words, two out of five people in India are obese. A 2024 Lancet study classified India as the third most obese nation behind the US and China, with over 80 million obese nationals. Among these, 10 million were in the age group of five to 19 years. Even the Economic Survey of 2023-24 highlighted the rising incidence of obesity in the country among all sections of society and across states.

Changing Disease Patterns in India

As with any other developing economy, India is witnessing changes in its disease burden. The share of communicable diseases (Chickenpox, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B/C, etc.) has reduced, while that of non-communicable diseases (Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular ailments, Hypertension, Respiratory ailments, etc.) has increased. A 2017 study, India: Health of Nation’s States, identified that mortality due to communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases (CMNNDs) declined from 60.9 per cent in 1990 to 32.7 per cent in 2016. During the same period, mortality due to injuries and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) increased from 8.6 per cent and 30.5 per cent to 11.9 per cent and 55.4 per cent, respectively. This implies that India is currently in the midst of a dual health challenge, where communicable diseases are still prevalent, while the share of NCDs is rising in the overall health burden. The report also highlights the disparities in causes of mortality across states. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and North-East states had a higher incidence of deaths due to CMNNDs, whereas the other states had a higher share of NCDs contributing to mortality. The difference was also observed in the leading mortality causes within age groups across states. CMNNDs contributed more towards the death of the younger population, whereas injuries and NCDs were more prominent causes of death among middle-aged and older populations, respectively.

Why is Rising Obesity a Concern

In 2024, India overtook China as the most populous country in the world. Approximately two-thirds of the population is in the working age group (15 – 59 years), another 25 per cent is under 15 years of age, and the remaining is above 60 years. Converting this to actual numbers, India has over 1.2 billion people under the age of 60. That is a very substantial number. India enjoys a significant demographic dividend vis-à-vis the other large economies, with a median population age of 29.5 years. The table below provides a snapshot of the 10 largest economies and the median age of their population.

Sources: Worldometer, World Population Review, CIA 

As can be seen from the table above, India has the youngest population among the top 10 economies. This demographic dividend which India enjoys has the potential to provide a significant impetus for the country’s continued growth and development in the decades to come. However, for India to reap the benefits of this demographic dividend, the health of its population is vital. The increasing incidence of obesity will adversely impact the productivity and healthy life years of the population, which has the potential to derail the growth and progress of the nation. The diseases caused due to obesity, such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, hypertension, etc., are more chronic and have a prolonged effect, which adversely affects the quality of life and the productivity of the individual. The contribution of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) to total disease burden (DALYs) increased in India from 17 per cent in 1990 to 33 per cent in 2016. Interestingly, the incidence of YLDs was highest in states with a higher share of NCDs vis-à-vis the states with a higher share of CMNNDs, as a majority of the leading individual causes of YLDs were NCDs. Hence, controlling obesity is critical not just for the good health of the population but for the country's economic health, too.

Government Action & Inaction

In 2014, the Government of India, through its permanent representative in the United Nations (UN), successfully passed a resolution for declaring 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. Yoga is known to have several physical and mental health benefits. And the government is actively promoting it. Similarly, in 2019, the Government of India launched Fit India Movement to make fitness an integral part of daily lives, bring about behavioural changes, and move towards a physically active lifestyle. Similarly, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) in 2024 released dietary guidelines to address the rising NCDs linked to dietary and lifestyle issues.

However, on the other hand, the regulations on packaged foods and food labels, which are considered contributing factors for obesity, are lax compared to other nations. It has often been observed that products sold in India have a higher salt and sugar content vis-à-vis when the same product is sold in more developed and even other middle-income countries. A growing body of evidence suggests this is possible due to regulations governing these food products in India. Experts are increasingly recommending tightening these regulations and improving the reporting on the food labels for better product awareness and informed decision-making. Till the government revamps the regulatory architecture and becomes more stringent on food content and labels, remember to be careful with everything you put inside your body. And adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Adding a New Dimension to Viksit Bharat Vision

The Government of India announced that by 2047, it aims for a Viksit Bharat – a self-reliant nation with a prosperous economy. A prospering economy and reduced/no dependence on others are great, however, they are of little help if the citizens are unhealthy and unable to enjoy this prosperity. To its Viksit Bharat vision, the government should attach a new dimension of a “healthy and fit India” and rename the vision to “Viksit Bharat, Swasth Bharat” for better citizen engagement and outcomes.