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Rising Obesity Among Rural Women in India
Context:
Obesity, once considered an urban problem, is now rising rapidly among rural women in India.
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- The expanding reach of processed food companies has contributed to increasing obesity in rural India.
- Khushboo Jain Tibrewala, a nutritionist, reports that the age group most affected by obesity among women is between 30 to 50 years.
- Growth in population, rising per-capita income, and relaxed regulations have created markets for processed food companies to thrive in low- and middle-income countries like India.
Key Contributing Factors
- Lifestyle and Sedentary Habits: Evolving standards of living in rural areas have led to reduced physical activity. More sedentary lifestyles due to modern conveniences contribute to weight gain.
- Post-Pregnancy Weight Retention: Many women fail to lose weight post-pregnancy, especially after the second or third child.
- Abdominal obesity accumulates permanently, making weight loss difficult. Hormonal changes and disrupted sleep cycles worsen the problem.
- Processed Food Infiltration in Villages: Multinational food companies are expanding into rural markets. Ultra-processed foods with high calorie content (300+ calories per meal) are now more accessible.
- Increased per-capita income and weaker regulations have led to greater consumption of processed foods.
- Genetic and Dietary Factors: Genetic predisposition plays a role, but dietary shifts and increased calorie intake are accelerating obesity rates. Experts warn that lack of awareness about balanced nutrition worsens the situation.
- Disrupted Sleep Cycles and Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes and disrupted sleep patterns are contributing factors to the rising obesity rates among women.
Statistics and Trends
- Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) reveals concerning trends in obesity rates:
- Obesity in women (BMI > 25 kg/m²) has risen from 10.6% in 1998-99 to 24% in 2019-21.
- In 2021, the obesity rates for women were 19.7% in rural areas and 33.2% in urban areas, compared to 5.9% and 23.5% in 1998.
- NFHS-5 highlights that the rise in obesity among rural women may be driven by changing dietary behaviours, calorie intake, and genetic factors.
Health Risks and Consequences
- Increased joint and back pain due to excess weight.
- Reduced physical activity and work-related fatigue affect daily life.
- Higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders in obese women.
- While curing obesity may be difficult, doctors agree that chronic diseases associated with obesity can be controlled and even reversed with appropriate intervention.
Future Projections
- Experts predict that obesity rates will continue to rise, driven by changes in dietary habits, calorie intake, and genetic factors, particularly in rural areas.
- A Lancet study suggests that by 2050, India could have over 440 million obese or overweight individuals, with women accounting for 231 million and men 218 million.
- India would become the second-highest country in terms of obesity rates, after China.
