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Urban Indians in 24-39 age group WORST HIT BY OBESITY
New Survey Shows That Every Second Woman In Mega Cities Like Mumbai Is Obese. Docs Blame Unhealthy Diet, Addiction To Gizmos And Lack Of Exercise
For years, city doctors have been shouting themselves hoarse over the ever-increasing number of obese or overweight people. The seriousness of the obesity march in urban areas is best underlined when one considers the all-India obesity data. Consecutive National FamilyHealth surveys conducted between 2000 and 2006 pegged obesity in India between 8% and 15% of the general population. This data is reflected in a new 2011 survey of 46,000 urban Indians which showed that 49% were obese or had a body mass index (BMI) of 25. Another 24% of those surveyed had a BMI between 23 and 24.9, which puts them in the overweight category.
Incidentally, earlier this year, India had lowered the BMI cutoff for obesity. "Now, Indians with a BMI of over 23 are considered obese,'' said bariatric surgeon Dr Ramen Goel, who had studied rising obesity levels in Mumbai eight years ago. "The new survey suggests that we are now on par with other developed nations if we compare the percentage of population that is obese, at least as far as urban and affluent sections of our society are concerned,'' he said.
This unhealthy trend is limited to mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. "When one takes into consideration underdeveloped states or the smaller cities and towns, the overweight figure seems lower,''said Dr Anoop Misra from Fortis Hospital in Delhi, adding that the new survey looked at a section that is urban, affluent, wired and low on physical exercise.
The survey, conducted by oil and fortified foods company Saffola, attributed this swell to the fact that urban Indians eat unhealthy food. In fact, 53% of those surveyed ate one or less serving of vegetables or salads in a day. The worst vegetable/salad eaters were in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, said the survey.
The obesity march holds true for Delhi as well. Dr Misra said his soonto-be-published study showed that 40-70% of the capital's denizens were either overweight or obese. The survey shows that north Indian cities of Delhi and Chandigarh are the obesity capitals, with 53% of those surveyed being obese. A breakup shows that every second woman is obese and the worstaffected age group is the 24-39 bracket.
In his yet-to-be-published study Misra quantifies how poor health results from obesity that begins with childhood. "If one compares India's obesity problem with the US, we are not badly off. But if one considers how quickly and steeply the problem is rising, then there is cause for concern," he said. His study shows that obesity-related problems such as hypertension and diabetes in Delhi and Jaipur rose sharply in the 25-35 age group. The Saffola survey also shows that the 30-39 age group has higher lipid readings and higher BMIs. Mumbai-based nutritionist Shilpa Joshi expresses her concern for children's health. "Nowadays, children sit in front of computers or televisions and have easy access to packaged food,'' she said. This is in stark contrast to the scene a few decades ago. "When we were younger, we ate homecooked food that had low glycemic index. Such foods release calories slowly and not instantly like an aerated drink or packaged chips,'' she said.
On the eve of World Anti-Obesity Day, doctors wanted to underline a subtle difference. "The problem is not about being overweight; it is about controlling obesity-related diseases,'' said one doctor. Dr Goel said, "We could have people with 25 or even 28 BMI who are extremely fit and healthy.'' The problem, he said, begins when their obesity starts telling on their blood pressure or sugar levels.
This unhealthy trend is limited to mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. "When one takes into consideration underdeveloped states or the smaller cities and towns, the overweight figure seems lower,''said Dr Anoop Misra from Fortis Hospital in Delhi, adding that the new survey looked at a section that is urban, affluent, wired and low on physical exercise.
The survey, conducted by oil and fortified foods company Saffola, attributed this swell to the fact that urban Indians eat unhealthy food. In fact, 53% of those surveyed ate one or less serving of vegetables or salads in a day. The worst vegetable/salad eaters were in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad, said the survey.
The obesity march holds true for Delhi as well. Dr Misra said his soonto-be-published study showed that 40-70% of the capital's denizens were either overweight or obese. The survey shows that north Indian cities of Delhi and Chandigarh are the obesity capitals, with 53% of those surveyed being obese. A breakup shows that every second woman is obese and the worstaffected age group is the 24-39 bracket.
In his yet-to-be-published study Misra quantifies how poor health results from obesity that begins with childhood. "If one compares India's obesity problem with the US, we are not badly off. But if one considers how quickly and steeply the problem is rising, then there is cause for concern," he said. His study shows that obesity-related problems such as hypertension and diabetes in Delhi and Jaipur rose sharply in the 25-35 age group. The Saffola survey also shows that the 30-39 age group has higher lipid readings and higher BMIs. Mumbai-based nutritionist Shilpa Joshi expresses her concern for children's health. "Nowadays, children sit in front of computers or televisions and have easy access to packaged food,'' she said. This is in stark contrast to the scene a few decades ago. "When we were younger, we ate homecooked food that had low glycemic index. Such foods release calories slowly and not instantly like an aerated drink or packaged chips,'' she said.
On the eve of World Anti-Obesity Day, doctors wanted to underline a subtle difference. "The problem is not about being overweight; it is about controlling obesity-related diseases,'' said one doctor. Dr Goel said, "We could have people with 25 or even 28 BMI who are extremely fit and healthy.'' The problem, he said, begins when their obesity starts telling on their blood pressure or sugar levels.
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