According to the 2017 National Family Health Survey, obesity has increased among children under the age of five, with 33 states and union territories reporting an increase in the number of overweight children (NFHS).
Obesity is on the rise, according to experts, due to a lack of physical exercise and poor eating habits. Obesity among youngsters grew from 2.1 percent in NFHS-4 to 3.4 percent in NFHS-5. Obesity has grown in both women and men, not only in youngsters.
Several states and union territories, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Mizoram, Tripura, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Ladakh, have reported an increase in the percentage of obese children under the age of five in comparison to the NFHS-4 conducted between 2015 and 2016.
According to the report, only Goa, Tamil Nadu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu saw a decrease in the number of overweight children under the age of five.
According to the poll, 30 states and union territories have seen an increase in female obesity, while 33 states and union territories have seen an increase in male obesity.
Obesity was defined as a body mass index of greater than or equal to 25.0 kg/m2 in men and women, and weight-for-height in children.
Obesity has been linked to bad eating habits and a lack of physical exercise among children and adults, according to medical professionals.
tipsRising wages, bad food habits, and unhealthy life choices, according to Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, are behind the 15-year trend of increased obesity among Indian women, men, and children, as validated by NFHS-5.
It is not, however, fair to blame growing earnings. Poor eating habits have a large role as well. “As families get wealthier, the intake of unhealthy foods (often referred to as junk foods) that are high in calories from sugar or fat and low in dietary fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals is known to rise,” Muttreja added.
Apart from these issues, the great majority of Indians appear to be unaware of the necessity of living a healthy and active lifestyle. They tend to live sedentary lives and lack motivation to engage in any type of exercise, even walking.
