Citing a Lancet study, PM Modi noted that 70% of India’s urban and rural population is either overweight or obese. This makes India the third most affected country in the world, behind only the United States and China.
During his Mann Ki Baat radio show on February 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed serious concerns about the growing obesity problem in India. He referred to World Health Organization (WHO) data, which revealed that in 2022, around 2.5 billion people worldwide were overweight. “These numbers are alarming and should make us all think about why this is happening. Being overweight or obese leads to several health issues,” PM Modi stated.
A nationwide initiative to tackle obesity
PM Modi emphasized that cutting down on oil consumption and managing weight is not just a lifestyle choice but also a responsibility towards our families. To promote awareness and encourage healthier habits, he nominated 10 well-known personalities from different fields to lead the fight against obesity in India. He urged them to nominate 10 more individuals each, ensuring that the movement grows stronger.
The 10 personalities nominated by PM Modi
- Anand Mahindra – Chairman of Mahindra Group
- Sudha Murty – Author, philanthropist, and Rajya Sabha MP
- Nandan Nilekani – Co-founder of Infosys, former UIDAI chairman
- Mirabai Chanu – Olympic-winning weightlifter
- R. Madhavan – Actor
- Manu Bhaker – Olympic-winning shooter
- Nirahua Hindustani – Actor and BJP MP
- Omar Abdullah – Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir
- Mohanlal – Actor and producer
- Shreya Ghoshal – Singer
Obesity: A growing concern in India
PM Modi said that one in every eight Indians is obese, and the issue is rapidly increasing among children. He stressed that building a fit and healthy nation requires immediate action to control obesity.
“Over the last few years, obesity cases have doubled, and what’s even more worrying is that it has increased four times among children,” he added.
India among most affected countries
Citing a Lancet study, PM Modi noted that 70% of India’s urban and rural population is either overweight or obese. This makes India the third most affected country in the world, behind only the United States and China.
To strengthen the campaign, Olympian Neeraj Chopra and boxing champion Nikhat Zareen also joined the discussion. With this initiative, PM Modi hopes to inspire people across India to adopt healthier habits and work together to combat obesity at a national level.
