(Image source from: x.com/narendramodi)
In his speech for the 79th Independence Day at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on a growing health issue: the increasing obesity levels in India rather than discussing politics. Speaking to millions for 103 minutes, he pointed out that our changing lifestyle, high-fat diets, and lack of physical activity are leading to many diseases that don’t spread from person to person, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues. “In the future, obesity could become a big problem for our nation,” the Prime Minister warned. “If every family cuts down cooking oil by 10%, it will improve the nation's health.”
The main point of PM Modi’s speech was a clear action step – reducing the use of cooking oil in households by 10%. Nutrition experts have long connected high intake of oils, especially refined oils with saturated and trans fats, to weight gain, increased cholesterol, and heart health risks. The PM encouraged people to go back to old cooking styles that use less oil, include methods like steaming, roasting, and boiling, and favor fresh, plant-based foods instead of fried options.
In addition to changing diets, Modi called on Indians to incorporate regular exercise into their daily routines. He suggested activities like yoga, walking, cycling, and exercising at home. He also emphasized returning to healthy Indian eating habits, focusing on balanced meals made of grains, legumes, vegetables, and seasonal fruits, while avoiding too much processed food. The need for action is clear. The National Family Health Survey-5 conducted from 2019 to 2021 revealed that 24% of women and 23% of men in India are either overweight or obese, an increase from 20.7% and 18.6% in the last survey. Obesity rates in rural areas are starting to match those in cities due to high-calorie diets and less activity. The ICMR-INDIAB Study from 2023 found that 101 million people in India have diabetes and 136 million are prediabetic, much of this linked to being overweight. There’s also a rise in obesity among children, with studies from AIIMS showing 5-14% are affected.
Experts caution that if obesity is not controlled, it can lead to diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and joint issues, and could put a huge financial strain on India's healthcare system. Framing the battle against obesity as both a personal and national issue, PM Modi said: “Let us commit to providing the next generation with a healthier nation, where fitness is valued as much as celebrations”.
