PM Modi’s Anti-Obesity Drive and India’s Obesity Challenge: Key Note

1. PM Modi’s Anti-Obesity Campaign

• Mann Ki Baat Address (23.02.2025): PM Modi highlighted obesity as a growing concern in his monthly radio program.
  • Statistics Shared:
    • 1 in 8 people globally struggles with obesity.
    • Obesity cases have doubled in recent years, with a four-fold increase among children.
  • Call to Action:
    • Reduce oil consumption by 10%.
    • Challenge 10 others to do the same.
• Celebrity Ambassadors:
  • Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Thrower): Advocated daily exercise and a healthy diet.
  • Nikhat Zareen (Boxer): Emphasized fitness and balanced eating.
  • Dr. Devi Shetty (Cardiac Surgeon): Urged reducing carbs (rice, chapati), sugar, and oil intake.

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2. India’s Obesity Challenge

• Global and National Trends:
  • Lancet Study (1990–2022):
    • Obesity prevalence in India:
      • Women: Increased from 1.2% to 9.8%.
      • Men: Increased from 0.5% to 5.4%.
    • Childhood Obesity:
      • 7.3 million boys and 5.2 million girls were overweight in 2022 (up from 0.2 million each in 1990).
• BMI Definitions:
  • Overweight: BMI > 25.
  • Obese: BMI > 30.

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3. Health Risks of Obesity

• Chronic Conditions:
  • Diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, strokes, fatty liver disease, and cancers (breast, colorectal, liver).
  • Sleep apnea, bone erosion, and joint damage.
• Lancet’s Definition of Clinical Obesity:
  • A chronic illness causing alterations in organ functions, independent of other conditions.

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4. Why the Definition of Obesity Changed

• Limitations of BMI:
  • Does not account for muscle mass or fat distribution.
  • Some individuals with high muscle mass may have a BMI > 30 but are healthy.
  • Others may have normal BMI but suffer from obesity-related health issues.
• New Criteria:
  • Includes muscle mass, organ function, and physical characteristics (height, weight, waist circumference).

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5. Solutions and Recommendations

• WHO Guidelines:
  • Adults:
    • 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise weekly.
    • Strength training 2+ days a week.
  • Children (5–17):
    • 60 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity daily.
• Dietary Changes:
  • Plate Composition:
    • Half: Non-starchy vegetables.
    • Quarter: Proteins (fish, chicken, soya).
    • Quarter: Carbs (rice, chapati).

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6. PM Modi’s Address in the 119th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ (23.02.2025)

• Focus on Obesity:
  • PM Modi emphasized the need to address obesity as a national health crisis.
  • Highlighted the importance of reducing oil consumption by 10% and challenging others to do the same.
• Celebrity Messages:
  • Neeraj Chopra: Shared his personal journey of overcoming obesity through exercise and diet.
  • Nikhat Zareen: Stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle and avoiding oily foods.
  • Dr. Devi Shetty: Warned about the medical risks of obesity and advocated for controlled diets and exercise.
• Call to Action: PM Modi urged listeners to take small steps, such as reducing oil intake, to combat obesity collectively.

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7. Key Takeaways

• India’s Growing Burden: Obesity is rising rapidly, especially among children.
• Health Implications: Obesity is linked to severe chronic diseases and organ dysfunction.
• Policy and Awareness: PM Modi’s campaign, supported by celebrities, aims to promote healthier lifestyles.
• Holistic Approach: Combating obesity requires dietary changes, regular exercise, and public health interventions.

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References

1. pib