The obesity crisis in India isn’t anything new, but it is something we’re trying to tackle, take for example the free obesity treatment camps and anti-obesity day counseling services. It’s something that we want to change as a whole country.

So, what’s contributing to this obesity crisis? Who’s more susceptible and how can we help to curb it? Let’s take a look.

Worrying Statistics

It’s been reported that by 2025, India will be home to around 17-million obese children with studies stating that globally, obesity affects over 2 billion children, over a quarter of the world’s population.

The main causes seem to be poor eating habits which are formed early on in people’s lives and also eating a particularly western diet featuring a plethora of junk foods like burgers, fries and sugary carbonated drinks. This teamed with a lack of exercise is all contributing towards and issue that has been, for many years now, spiraling out of control.

Women are a demographic that appears to be more susceptible to obesity than men too, with India Spend reporting that obesity amongst women in India from 1999 to 2016 doubling in numbers. Interestingly though, the numbers showed that the rates amongst children actually dropped by 0.8% but it was adolescent females and women aged 20-49 where rates doubled, suggesting there could be an issue with binging after facing strict diet regimens as a child.  

And whilst those in poorer communities don’t face issues with obesity – malnutrition and the diseases associated with such issues are also cause for concern in the country. Those who manage to work their way from a poorer life to a more affluent too, face obesity issues later in life due to the transition of work roles from manual jobs to sedentary desk work and a higher disposable income.

Ways to Combat the Crisis

Education is a great way to start. If we can help children to develop healthy eating habits while they’re still young and teach them about food, it will help them to make better decisions later on in life. Balance is also key, denying anyone a treat every now and again is a very unsustainable way to tackle obesity and simply encourages relapses and binge eating.

For adults, you can also take medical supplements too alongside your healthy diet. By taking supplements like Lactobacillus Gasseri Probiotics, you’ll not only promote great intestinal health, but it’s also been known to contribute to weight loss. Supplements like Garcinia Cambogia Extract, Raspberry Ketones and caffeine based supplements can also help. 

Finally, stepping outside and getting some exercise can be one of the best ways to tackle obesity and help to improve your overall cardiac health. Weight loss is a natural byproduct of healthy eating and exercise meaning that just upping your activity to 30 minutes 5 times per week and trying to maintain an 80/20 routine when it comes to eating well and treating yourself respectively.