Shillong, Nov 30: Meghalaya has the lowest levels of female obesity in the country, according to a new study published on Tuesday.
Around one in eight women in Meghalaya (12 percent) are obese, according to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which released its report on November 25 in New Delhi.
The news nationally is on a worrying trajectory, however. While Meghalaya’s obesity rates are fairly low, other areas are facing an exploding health problem; Delhi has the highest rate of female obesity, at 41 percent.
Nationally, just under a quarter (24 percent of women and 23 percent of men) are classed as either overweight or obese, which is five times the rate in the 1990s.
The paper, titled ‘Building on success to secure India’s future health’, documented significant variations between states, even in childhood obesity rates; 22.80 percent of children aged 6 to 16 in Delhi are classified as obese compared to 13.60 percent in Maharashtra.
Obesity adds to the healthcare burden, with extra direct costs of $2.4 billion annually as well as a loss of economic output estimated at $28.9 billion.
Worldwide obesity rates have doubled since 1990, affecting almost 1 billion people. Without intervention, more than half of all adults globally could be overweight or obese by 2050, the report added.
Despite increased healthcare spending globally over the past two decades, people are spending fewer of their additional years in good health. However, the study also acknowledged ongoing government efforts, including Eat Right India and the Fit India Movement.
“By combining technology, data and community-driven action, India can not only reduce the growing burden of obesity but also build a stronger, more resilient health system for future generations,” Vivek Agarwal, country director at the Tony Blair Institute, said.
