Invest in Health Today and Save Tomorrow – Awareness, Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

India is one of the developing countries suffering from two types of malnutrition – ‘Mal’ nutrition and ‘Mall’ nutrition. Obesity rates have surged from 9% in 2016 to 20% in 2023, with three quarters of individuals screened exhibiting overweight or obese conditions. This rise in obesity, including high visceral fat levels even in individuals with normal BMI, is highlighted as a primary risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases. There is an urgent need for effective preventive strategies. However, there remains disagreement over the definition of obesity due to a lack of evidence on the optimal cut-offs linking body mass index to disease risks, and limited evidence on the most effective components of interventions to prevent childhood obesity. This article reviews the trends in obesity, its genetic, nutritional and other risk factors, and preventive and treatment strategies. Particular emphasis is given to early-onset obesity in children, which, as a precursor to later childhood and adult obesity, provides insights into the developmental and genetic origins of obesity and also offers the potential for early preventive approaches with longlasting benefits.