Urban and overweight
City-Bred 3 Times More Likely
To Be Obese Than Rural Folk: Survey
 Mumbai:
Obesity may not yet be considered a disorder by insurance
companies, but the number of overweight and obese people in India
seems to be on the rise.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) pegs the number of obese
people at over 300 million worldwide, with a billion more
overweight. The problem in India is mainly in the metropolitan
cities as compared to other places.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS),
overweight and obesity are more than three times higher in urban
centres as compared to rural areas.
The NFHS figures suggest that the proportion of obesity in
Indian cities is increasing at 33-51% every few years. In pure
statistical terms, about 27% of the urban population is overweight
as compared to 11% in rural areas. And, more women seem to be
overweight as compared to men. NFHS says 24% of urban women are
overweight. “Obesity in adults is still understandable. But we are
seeing 8-year-olds who are obese. Even 12-yearolds are suffering
from diabetes and hypertension today,’’ said Naini
Setalvad, a nutritionist. “On an average, 16% of city children are
overweight while 6% are morbidly obese. Even by Indian standards,
these percentages are high,’’ said Dr Mufazzal Lakdawala,
bariatric surgeon.
Dr Raman Goel, bariatric surgeon with Bombay Hospital, said: “The
sedentary lifestyle of Indians is the main reason behind
increasing number of obese people. The food we eat — both
traditional and modern — is high on calories. Plus, most people
are inert and have absolutely no exercise in their daily
routine,’’ said Dr Goel. Apart from the lifestyle, there are
reasons beyond human control as well, contributing to making India
a country of obese people. According to doctors, the Body Mass
Index (BMI) of Indians is much lower than their Caucasian
counterparts. “If an Indian and an American put on 5 kg, the
Indian will have that much fat as compared to the American, who
would have gained more muscles,’’ Dr Goel explained.
The BMI cut-off for bariatric surgery for an Indian is 32.5
while that for an American is 35. As obesity brings with it a
plethora of other diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes,
hypertension and cholesterol, doctors say it is better to nip the
disease in the bud.
BIG PROBLEM
About 30 million Indians are obese
Around 20% of schoolgoing children are overweight
Number of women in the 15-49 age group who are overweight or
obese increased from 11% in NFHS-2 (National Family Health Survey)
to 15% in NFHS-3.
Obesity affects one in four Americans
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