Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have higher proportion of women with obesity compared to men, according to a shocking revelation in the Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament on Monday.
In the National Capital Territory (Delhi), 41.3 per cent of women are obese compared to 38 per cent for men, said the survey, citing National Family Health Survey (NFHS). In Tamil Nadu, it is 40.4 per cent for women while 37 per cent men are obese. In Andhra Pradesh, 36.3 per cent of women are obese as against 31.1 per cent for men.
Tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the survey said, "Combined with an ageing population in some states, obesity presents a concerning situation. Preventive measures must be taken to enable citizens to have a healthier lifestyle."
The survey added that obesity is higher in cities than in rural areas, affecting 29.8 per cent men in urban localities compared to 19.3 per cent of men in villages.
Unhealthy diets contribute to 54 per cent of total disease burden in India, said the survey, sparking worries about increased consumption of processed food items, reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods.
The survey warned that preventive measures must be taken to enable citizens to have a healthier lifestyle. In order to reap the gains of the country's demographic dividend, it is critical that Indian population's health parameters transition towards a balanced and diverse diet, said the document.
The adult obesity rate in the country has more than tripled while the rise among children is the steepest in the world, after Vietnam and Namibia, said the survey, citing a World Obesity Federation report.
The Economic Survey was tabled a day ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2024.