By IANSlife
February 01, 2024 (IANSlife) Obesity in India is a significant public health concern, as it is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for 5.87 million deaths annually in the country. This silent epidemic, often overshadowed by other health issues like cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, poses a serious threat to the nation's economy, work productivity, and the general physical and mental well-being of the population. Recognising the urgency of addressing this issue, HexaHealth has initiated a comprehensive two-month survey to understand the multifaceted dimensions of obesity in India.
The HexaHealth Obesity Report has found Bengaluru obese youngsters develop obesity-related comorbidities early on and have the highest rate of comorbidities among the under-20 metro youth population. Of the study done on 1,000 obese youngsters in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi, 15 percent of under-20 Bengaluru youngsters had developed more than one comorbidity. By the age of 26-35 years, comorbidities in Delhi and Mumbai youngsters jumped up drastically with 36 percent and 41 percent developing comorbidities respectively.
The HexaHealth study showed a significant rise in chronic joint pains and hypertension starting from 26 onwards. The number of comorbidities increased four times between ages 26 and 35 years. The same saw a 50 percent increase in a number of comorbidities after entering the 36 to 45 years age bracket.
Speaking on the survey, Ankur Gigras, CEO and Co-founder of HexaHealth, said, “In a comprehensive two-month survey, HexaHealth delved into the pressing issue of obesity in India. The findings revealed a high occurrence as well as awareness of obesity in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, to levels that surpassed our initial expectations. A particularly concerning revelation was the occurrence of comorbidities in youth under 20 years of age. Maybe the pandemic lockdown had an impact but it’s alarming to see a good number of them developing comorbidities when they’re supposed to have better metabolism.”
“Notably, our survey outcomes align closely with existing scientific research and data on obesity, emphasising the urgency of addressing obesity-related health concerns at all levels – medical and social. Our findings underscore the need for concerted efforts and awareness campaigns to combat the complex interplay of obesity and comorbidities in these cities,” added Gigras.
The HexaHealth initiative to address the growing concern of obesity in India, HexaHealth, a Gurugram-based Healthtech platform, conducted a comprehensive analysis of data from 1000 individuals residing in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. The survey focused on individuals aged between 18 to 55 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, all of whom were classified as obese.
The key findings of the Obesity Survey are as follows:
Comorbidity Prevalence:
Awareness Towards Medical Treatments:
Fitness Efforts and Dieting:
Impact of Work from Home (WFH) on Obesity:
Use of Fitness Gadgets:
Users on medication:
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