India Faces Dual Challenges of Obesity and Undernutrition

Key Points

• 1India has seen a steady increase in obesity levels in both adults and children over the last 32 years, as per a new Lancet study.
• 2The study, published on February 29, blames a lack of access to affordable and nutritious food for the prominence of undernutrition and obesity.
• 3Adults are considered obese if they have a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more, and underweight if their BMI is less than 18 kg.
• 4Obesity in women increased from 1.2% in 1990 to 9.8% in 2022; underweight in Indian girls was the highest in the world, at 20.3%.
• 5Eating junk food is cheaper and easier, which is affecting people, especially in states like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Goa.