Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday nominated 10 eminent personalities to spread awareness about the growing issue of obesity in the country.
The nominees include Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, industrialist Anand Mahindra, actor Mohanlal, Bhojpuri actor and former MP Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua,’ Olympians Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, Bollywood actor R. Madhavan, singer Shreya Ghoshal, and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy.
To combat obesity, PM Modi urged people to reduce oil consumption in their diet. He highlighted a study that states that 1 in 8 individuals is struggling with obesity, and the problem has quadrupled among children. WHO data indicates that in 2022, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide were overweight.
PM Modi suggested that if every person reduces oil consumption by 10% and motivates others to do the same, the issue can be tackled effectively. Making small changes in dietary habits can help prevent diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and stress.
Omar Abdullah Challenges Sania Mirza and Deepika Padukone
Reacting to the PM’s post, Omar Abdullah expressed his happiness at being part of the campaign. He further nominated 10 individuals, including Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, industrialist Sajjan Jindal, actress Deepika Padukone, former tennis player Sania Mirza, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, MP Supriya Sule, and former Wushu player Kuldeep Handoo.
Healthy Population Essential for a Developed India: Anand Mahindra
Industrialist Anand Mahindra supported the initiative, stating that to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, the country needs not only a strong economy but also a healthy population. He emphasized that reducing oil consumption benefits both health and finances. Mahindra nominated 10 more celebrities, including Anil Kapoor, Gul Panag, and P.V. Sindhu.
According to a report by the Ministry of Health, in 2022, the obesity rate in India stood at 9.8% among men and 5.4% among women, a sharp rise from 1990 levels of 1.2% and 0.5%, respectively. It is estimated that by 2025, around 2.7 million young people in India will be overweight, while 135 million Indians are already suffering from obesity.
Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore Savings in Oil Import
India’s annual edible oil consumption is approximately 23 million tons, with around 60% (13.8 million tons) being imported. If consumption is reduced by 10%, the total demand would decrease by 2.3 million tons, leading to a reduction of 1.38 million tons in imports. Currently, India spends around Rs 1.5 lakh crore annually on edible oil imports, meaning this reduction could result in significant savings.
Rs 2.8 Lakh Crore Spent on Obesity-Related Treatments
Obesity increases the risk of diseases such as heart ailments, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which can be mitigated by reducing oil consumption. In 2019, obesity-related diseases cost India approximately Rs 2.8 lakh crore (1% of GDP), accounting for medical expenses, loss of productivity, and premature deaths.
