Prevalence of Obesity in India and Its Neurological Implications: A Multifactor Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: India is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition, from underweight to overweight/obese population. Obesity is a major risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and is also implicated as a factor in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. A robust, pan-Indian estimate of obesity is not yet available. Purpose: This study estimates the pan-Indian prevalence of obesity, stratified across nonmodifiable (age and gender) and modifiable (education and physical activity levels) factors, and across zones and urban/rural. Methodology: Data for 1,00,531 adults from a nationwide randomized cluster sample survey ( Niyantrita Madhumeha Bharata 2017, phase 1) were analyzed. Obesity was determined using body mass index, and cross-tabulations were calculated across zones, age, gender, education, physical activity, and area. To determine statistical significance, t-tests were used. The odds of obesity within each category of the various factors were calculated using binary logistic regression. Results: Prevalence of obesity in India is 40.3%. Zonal variations were seen as follows: south highest at 46.51% and east lowest at 32.96%. Obesity was higher among women than men (41.88% vs. 38.67%), urban than rural (44.17% vs. 36.08%), and over 40 than under 40 (45.81% vs. 34.58%). More education implied a higher obesity (44.6% college vs. 38% uneducated), as did lowered physical activity (43.71% inactive vs. 32.56% vigorously active). The odds ratio for physical activity was 3.83, stronger than age (1.58), education (1.4), urban (1.3), and gender (1.2). Conclusion: Obesity levels in India are very high, across all zones. The odds of being obese increases with age, and is higher among women and among urban dwellers. Obesity is the highest among aging urban men and women who are college educated and are sedentary. Physical activity and aging are the strongest determinants of obesity. Given the high cost of obesity in terms of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease, urgent public health measures are necessary to reduce its impact.

Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Obese Individuals in Ahmedabad - An Observational Study

“…(2014) and found that prevalence of obesity was 15% in middle aged population of Ahmedabad. [7,13] There are studies which have shown the prevalence obstructive sleep apnea in obese individuals, but there is scarcity of such studies in India. So, purpose of this study was to find out prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea among obese individuals by using stop bang questionnaire.…”

“…[6] Prevalence of obesity in India is 40.3%. [7] More than two-thirds of obese people have OSA. Obesity narrows the upper airway, causes upper airway collapsibility, and disrupts the normal physiologic respiratory drive.…”

community based cross-sectional study on prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult population of Jabalpur City, Madhya Pradesh, India

“…Obesity was higher among women than men (41.88% vs. 38.67%), urban than rural (44.17% vs. 36.08%). 4 The prevalence of overweight and obesity in India is increasing faster than the world average. This fast-paced growth has been accompanied by notable increases in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).…”

Future of Metabolic Endoscopy

“…In India, it is estimated that around 40% of the population suffers from obesity, 9.6% from T2DM, and 9 to 53% from NAFLD. 2 3 4…”

“…In India, it is estimated that around 40% of the population suffers from obesity, 9.6% from T2DM, and 9 to 53% from NAFLD. [2][3][4] Conservative therapies including exercise, dietary modification, and weight loss medications remain a mainstay component of weight loss and weight maintenance programs but have limited long-term sustainability. Bariatric surgery, despite its proven effectiveness at inducing weight loss and metabolic changes, remains underutilized, with only 1% of eligible patients undergoing surgical intervention for the treatment of obesity.…”