Obesity in India: 5 Reasons Why It’s On the Rise

Remember when Indian parents used to force-feed kids with ghee-soaked parathas, saying, “Beta, mota hoga toh strong banega!”? Well, congratulations! The country has finally taken that advice a little too seriously. India is rapidly joining the global club of obesity, and guess what? It’s not just the rich stuffing their faces with pizzas and burgers— believe it or not, this sickness is creeping into every section of society!!!

The overall obesity rate in India is around 23 percent for men and 24 percent of women! This data was provided by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). Obesity in India has surged like a political controversy—fast, ridiculous, and seemingly unstoppable. According to various health reports, over 40% of urban Indians are overweight, and the numbers are climbing. The irony? This is the same country where malnutrition was (and still is) a crisis. As AIIMS observed World Obesity Day, this pressing issue was discussed! But finding a solution is not that hard!

So, why are Indians suddenly ballooning up? Let’s take a look at five main reasons:

The Great Indian ‘Sitting’ Revolution

We used to be a country of hardworking farmers, laborers, and people who walked or cycled to work. Fast forward to today—everyone is sitting. Sitting at desks. Sitting in cars. Sitting at home. Sitting and scrolling reels for hours.

With work-from-home and IT jobs booming, the most physical activity many urban Indians do is walking to the fridge. Earlier, our grandparents burned calories just by doing daily chores. Now, even pressing a button on a washing machine seems like an effort.

And let’s not forget the “lift culture.” Climbing stairs? Too much work. Why strain those muscles when a perfectly good elevator is available?

The Junk Food Tsunami 

If a competition were held for the fastest way to ruin a country’s diet, India would win hands down. Street food was already a guilty pleasure, but now, add Zomato, Swiggy, and an overload of fast-food chains, and we’ve officially signed a deal with obesity.

Every corner has a new fried, cheesy, or sugar-loaded monstrosity waiting to clog arteries. Kids are growing up on Happy Meals instead of home-cooked dal-chawal. Even traditional snacks have evolved into deep-fried calorie bombs. Remember when samosas were just snacks? Now they come with cheese, mayonnaise, and extra masala fries on the side.

The worst part? Junk food is addictive. Once you start eating it, your body craves it more. Who needs nutrients when you can have instant dopamine from a pizza?

Sugar – India’s Favorite Poison

Indians love sugar. Period. From chai to sweets, from soft drinks to “healthy” fruit juices, sugar is everywhere.

“Arre beta, ek gulab jamun toh kha le, shagun hai!”—this is how every festival, wedding, and even a random Tuesday begins. What people don’t realize is that the average Indian consumes nearly double the recommended sugar intake. Soft drinks, packed fruit juices (yes, those “healthy” ones), biscuits, and even seemingly harmless curd-based drinks are loaded with hidden sugars.

India is also the diabetes capital of the world, and if you look at what we consume daily, it’s not surprising. We might as well hand out insulin injections along with sweets at weddings.

No One Cares About Portion Control

Portion control in India? What a joke. Our serving sizes are ridiculous, especially when it comes to carbohydrates. A normal thali can easily be enough for two people, but we treat it as a personal challenge to finish everything. Buffets? Don’t even get started.

A common phrase in Indian households: “Ek roti aur le le, pet bhar gaya toh kya hua?”—because overeating is a sign of love. It’s also a sign of rising obesity rates. The problem isn’t just what we eat, but how much we eat. The concept of “eating till you’re 80% full” is lost on us. We eat till our pants feel tight, and then blame the tailor.

Fitness? Nah, Who Cares!

Ask an average Indian about their fitness routine, and you’ll get one of these responses:

• “Bas bhagwan ka naam leke din shuru karte hain!” (Because spirituality burns calories, right?)
• “Main to shaadi ke baad gym join karunga!” (As if marriage will magically change your metabolism.)
• “Walking from the bedroom to the kitchen counts na?” (Sure, and breathing counts as cardio.)

Exercise is still a foreign concept to many! Gyms are considered either for bodybuilders or the ultra-rich. Meanwhile, yoga is practiced more for Instagram reels than for actual health benefits. Kids are glued to their screens instead of playing outside, and even adults are too “busy” to move.

The Importance of Proper Diet and Nutrition

Okay, jokes aside—this is a serious issue. Obesity isn’t just about appearance; it’s a gateway to health disasters—heart diseases, diabetes, joint problems, and even mental health issues. If this trend continues, we are looking at a future where hospitals will be overcrowded, and our youth will be struggling with lifestyle diseases before even hitting their 30s.

So, what’s the solution?

• Eat real food. Stick to home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients instead of relying on packaged or takeout meals.
• Ditch excess sugar. It’s not just about sweets—watch out for hidden sugars in juices, cereals, and so-called “healthy” snacks.
• Control portions. Just because there’s food on the plate doesn’t mean you have to finish it all.
• Move your body. You don’t need a gym membership—just walk, stretch, or take the stairs. Anything is better than nothing.
• Educate yourself. The more you know about what goes into your food, the better choices you’ll make.

At the end of the day, no one is saying you should live like a monk, surviving on boiled vegetables. But if we don’t start making smarter choices now, the next generation might end up with more hospitals than schools. And honestly, that’s a future none of us want.

So, maybe next time, skip that extra Gulab jamun. Just saying.