New Delhi: Known for his disciplined lifestyle, where yoga, meditation, and a simple, balanced diet is the norm – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is truly the best advocate for fitness and healthy lifestyle. His commitment to physical and mental well-being reflects in his high-energy leadership and tireless work ethic and by prioritising health in his own life, PM Modi has reinforced the message that a fitter India starts with personal responsibility and consistent effort.
His recent inaugural address at the 38th National Games held in Dehradun is a poignant reminder of the same.
On January 28, PM Modi, in his address to the athletes and other delegates present at the venue, touched upon issues that are of pressing importance to the nation. Apart from emphasising on the importance of sports in our daily lives, the PM reiterated why a healthy body is key to a healthy mind, which in turn could lead to a healthy nation. During his speech, PM Modi spoke vividly about the obesity epidemic that has India in the throes and why we need to deal with this issue urgently.
It comes as no surprise that Bollywood super star Akshay Kumar, known for his strict fitness regime and disciplined lifestyle, has endorsed the PM’s vocal support for a fit India. Kumar is a strong advocate for health and wellness in India, he leads by example with his martial arts training, early morning routines, and emphasis on natural nutrition, making him a credible voice for the cause.
How true!! I’ve been saying this for years now…love it that the PM himself has put it so aptly. Health hai toh sab kuchh hai. Obesity se fight karne ke sabse bade hathiyaar
1. Enough sleep
2. Fresh air and Sunlight
3. No processed food, less oil. Trust the good old desi ghee… pic.twitter.com/CxnYjb4AHv— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) January 30, 2025
Fit, not fat, India is need of hour
The Prime Minister noted that obesity in India is a growing problem which impacts all age groups, including the youth. Obesity, he stressed, is also giving rise to other potent ailments like the diabetes and heart diseases which are considered fatal if not treated on time.
A Lancet study published their report in 2024, revealing startling statistics on obesity in India. According to their findings, “there were 70 million adults living with obesity in India in 2022, with almost twice the number of women than men, at 44 million and 26 million, respectively. In children aged 19 and under, 5.2 million girls and 7.3 million boys were obese.”
The worry doesn’t end here.
“The real problem with numbers of obesity in India is that it is on a steep incline. There has been a significant increase from 1990, when the obesity rate was 1.2 per cent for women and 0.5 per cent for men. The reasons are aplenty, awareness is also there. What we need is a strict policy decision, and of course, individual responsibility to curb this epidemic,” said Dr Anirudh Vij, a bariatric surgeon in Delhi.
The reason for the increase in obesity is primarily due to unhealthy food habits. According to another bariatric surgeon, Dr Rajat Goel, agrees. He believes, “the rise of processed foods, clubbed with the issue of food inflation, and a lack of government action on food labels has contributed massively to make healthy eating more difficult. Add to this conundrum, the lower levels of physical activity that is witnessed in people today, and you arrive at a severe case of high obesity rates.”
Although, PM Modi expressed his satisfaction that the country was becoming more aware of fitness and a healthy lifestyle through the Fit India Movement, he also mentioned that the National Games teach the importance of physical activity, discipline, and a balanced life. In his address, he urged the citizens to focus on two things, exercise and diet. “Take some time out each day for exercise, whether it’s walking or working out,” he added, also stressing the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR), 56.4 per cent of the total obesity disease burden in India is due to unhealthy dietary lifestyle. The ICMR report, which they released in April 2024, observed that the “upsurge in the consumption of highly processed foods, laden with sugars and fat, coupled with reduced physical activity and limited access to diverse foods, exacerbate micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity problems.”
On the sidelines of the event at Uttarakhand, PM Modi, took up the opportunity to advise the nation that by reducing the use of cooking oil by at least 10 per cent each month, one could make a significant health improvement. He stated, “if you were consuming two litres of cooking oil in a month, start by reducing that number by half. These small changes will go a long way in curbing obesity,” he said.
Dr Anjana Sahoo, another bariatric surgeon based in Odisha, says saturated fat is the worst enemy for obesity. “Such fats can contribute massively to weight gain by promoting fat accumulation in the body. It also stimulates obesity and hepatic steatosis, and can affect gut microbiota composition,” Sahoo said.
Addressing the obesity issue is an important one, not because of the rising numbers in Indian populace but also because obesity is the cause for onset of other potent diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart health problems.
Causally linked: Obesity-diabetes
If good health is our final goal, then let’s start by curbing obesity.
A prominent health influencer, nutritionist Pooja Makhija, speaks about how to tackle the burgeoning health crisis via having a well-balanced diet. “Obesity is the “mother of all diseases.” This is so because it has the potential to contribute to a myriad of health issues affecting the entire body – joint pain, respiratory problems, complications impacting the eyes, kidneys, and nerves are just a few of the health risks associated with obesity. To make matters worse, mental health, too is not immune either. Conditions like depression and anxiety are also often linked to this prevalent issue,” she tells us.
Kavita Devgan, another popular nutritionist in town, says we can “fix everything with the right food”. She is a strong believer in holistic eating being the only hack for a healthy living. According to Devgan, “start your health journey by replacing your plate with something fresh, organic and wholesome. Ditching the carbs intelligently will also go a long way in ensuring you are eating right and keeping good health,” she adds.
India is also notoriously known for being the ‘Diabetes Capital of the World, accounting for 17 per cent of the total number of diabetes patients in the world. A WHO report finds – “”in India, there are estimated 77 million people above the age of 18 years are suffering from diabetes (type 2) and nearly 25 million are prediabetics (at a higher risk of developing diabetes in near future).”
Dr Anoop Mishra and Dr Ambrish Mittal, both senior experts of endocrinology studies in India (and globally), have stressed enough on why it is pertinent that India addresses the obesity and diabetes problem with extreme urgency.
On the linkage between obesity and diabetes, Dr Mishra had this to say: “The more the fat in the body, the greater is the roadblock to action of insulin. But this is seen more when fat is accumulated around the abdomen (tummy), in the liver and in the pancreas. In Indians, liver fat and pancreatic fat deposits are seen more. In other words, even a small increase in liver fat increases chances of diabetes. Interestingly, such excess liver fat may occur even in those who are seemingly non-obese.”
PM Modi has called on state governments, schools, offices, and community leaders to spread awareness about fitness and nutrition. He has called for a collective effort to build a “Fit India.”
I don’t think we have an option left now but to go for it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always championed a healthier India, with the Fit India Movement at the heart of his vision. Emphasising on the importance of regular exercise and balanced nutrition, he recently reiterated the need for proactive lifestyle changes to combat rising obesity rates in the country. As experts weigh in on the growing health crisis, Modi’s call serves as a timely reminder that a fitter nation begins with individual choices. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
