Obesity is no longer just an urban issue in India, as rural women are increasingly joining their urban counterparts in the struggle against excess weight. Medical experts attribute this surge to evolving living standards, sedentary lifestyles, and post-pregnancy weight retention.
Causes of Rising Obesity
Post-Pregnancy Weight Retention: Many rural women struggle to shed weight after childbirth, particularly after their second or third pregnancies.
“We have observed that women continue gaining weight, which accumulates over multiple pregnancies, leading to long-term obesity,” said Dr. Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman, Max Institute of Laparoscopic, Endoscopic, Bariatric Surgery, and Allied Surgical Specialties at MSSH Saket. Additionally, disrupted sleep cycles and hormonal changes add to rising obesity levels.
Dietary Changes and Processed Foods: “Many processed food companies have expanded into villages, increasing access to ultra-processed foods, often exceeding 300 calories per meal,” said Dr. Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, Director of Bariatric Surgery at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi. This shift, combined with reduced physical activity, is driving obesity rates higher in India.
Socioeconomic Factors: “Population growth, improvement in per-capita income, and weaker regulations have created favourable markets for expansion for several multinational food and beverage corporations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India,” an expert said.
Khushboo Jain Tibrewala, nutritionist, diabetes and inflammation specialist at The Health Pantry, said that the most common age range of women facing obesity remains 30-50 years.
Statistics and Trends
- According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the percentage of overweight or obese women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) more than 25kg/m², has increased from 10.6% in 1998-99 to 24% in 2019-21.
Image: Freepik - In 2021, obesity in rural women was recorded at 19.7%, a sharp rise from 5.9% in 1998. Urban women saw an increase from 23.5% in 1998 to 33.2% in 2021.
- NFHS-5 highlights that the rise in obesity among rural women may be driven by changing dietary behaviours, calorie intake, and genetic factors, especially in rural areas.
A recent 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, making India the second-highest obesity load country in the world after China.
Health Risks and Consequences
- Increased joint and back pain due to excess weight.
- Reduced physical activity and work-related fatigue affecting daily life.
- Higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders in obese women.
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While obesity is difficult to cure, doctors agree that chronic diseases linked to obesity can be managed and even reversed with the appropriate interventions. A focus on balanced diets, increased physical activity, and better awareness can help curb this rising health crisis among rural women in India.
