New Delhi, May 17 – Obesity has quietly emerged as one of India’s most pressing yet under-recognised public health threats, with health experts describing it as a “silent tsunami” poised to overwhelm the nation’s healthcare infrastructure and economy if left unchecked.
A recent study published in The Lancet projects that nearly one in three Indians – approximately 449 million people – could be living with obesity by 2050. The estimate includes 218 million men and 231 million women.
Obesity Driving a Wave of Chronic Diseases
Medical professionals warn that the rapid rise in obesity is directly linked to a surge in life-altering and potentially fatal conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, hormonal imbalances, infertility, and some cancers.India already holds the world record for the highest number of people living with diabetes, currently exceeding 101 million. Disturbingly, these conditions are increasingly being diagnosed at much younger ages.
Dr Neeraj Nischal, Additional Professor at the Department of Medicine, AIIMS, underscored the broader implications, saying, “The obesity epidemic is quietly reshaping India’s disease profile. Unless confronted with urgency, it will place an unmanageable burden on the country’s healthcare infrastructure and economic productivity.”
Not a Lifestyle Choice, but a Medical Emergency
Reinforcing this sentiment, Dr Rajesh Upadhyay, Director and Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi, and past president of the Association of Physicians of India, said, “Obesity is not a cosmetic issue. It is a clinical, systemic concern that is driving a surge in diseases like fatty liver, diabetes, gastrointestinal complications, and heart disease.”He stressed the need for institutional reforms, noting that solutions must go beyond awareness campaigns to include systemic changes across schools, offices, hospitals, and even in medical education.
The Hidden Epidemic Impacting Youth and Rural India
Dr Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, called for a nationwide emergency response. “This is India’s silent tsunami. The burden of obesity is not always visible on the surface, but its impact is evident in hospital admissions, in the rise of chronic illnesses, and in the younger age of onset for lifestyle diseases.”He urged for immediate preventive measures to be institutionalised – including revising school and hospital food menus, revamping medical education, and enhancing early screening for risk factors.
Nationwide Crisis: Beyond Cities and Income Levels
Contrary to common perceptions, the obesity crisis is no longer limited to urban areas or affluent populations. It is rapidly spreading to rural regions and among adolescents, signaling a nationwide concern.Health experts are calling for coordinated and urgent action. Recommendations include:
- Implementing nutritional reforms in institutional food settings
- Expanding access to preventive screenings
- Overhauling public health education
- Restructuring medical curricula to prioritise obesity-related training
Without timely intervention, India risks becoming the global epicentre of an obesity-fueled non-communicable disease epidemic. Experts caution that the long-term fallout could involve reduced life expectancy, declining workforce productivity, and crippling pressure on the national health system.