Obesity in India has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century, with morbid obesity affecting 5% of the country's population.[1] India is following a trend of other developing countries that are steadily becoming more obese. Unhealthy, processed food has become much more accessible following India's continued integration in global food markets. This, combined with rising middle class incomes, is increasing the average caloric intake per individual among middle class and high income households.[2] Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and NGOs such as the Indian Heart Association have been raising awareness about this issue.[3]
While studying 22 different SNPs near to MC4-R gene, scientists have identified an SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) named rs12970134 to be mostly associated with waist circumference. In this study more than two thousand individuals of Indian origin participated and the aforementioned SNP is highly prevalent in this group.[4]
Internationally, a BMI over 25 kg/m2 is considered overweight. Due to genetic tendency of Indians towards abdominal obesity and its associated risk of related lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and anemia, guidelines for diagnosis of obesity and abdominal obesity for India have been published in JAPI (2009) that a BMI over 23 kg/m2 is considered overweight.[5] Further definitions: Normal BMI: 18.0-22.9 kg/m2, Overweight: 23.0-24.9 kg/m2, Obesity: >25 kg/m2.[5]
- ^ "India facing obesity epidemic: experts". The Hindu. 2007-10-12.
- ^ Gulati, S; Misra, A (2017). "Abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians: Dietary strategies including edible oils, cooking practices and sugar intake". European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 71 (7): 850–857. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.92. PMID 28612831. S2CID 23766777.
- ^ Indian Heart Association Webpage 26 April 2015. <http://indianheartassociation.org/>
- ^ Chambers, John C; Elliott, Paul; Zabaneh, Delilah; Zhang, Weihua; Li, Yun; Froguel, Philippe; Balding, David; Scott, James; Kooner, Jaspal S (2008). "Common genetic variation near MC4R is associated with waist circumference and insulin resistance". Nature Genetics. 40 (6): 716–8. doi:10.1038/ng.156. PMID 18454146. S2CID 12331736.
- ^ a b Misra, A; Chowbey, P; Makkar, B. M; Vikram, N. K; Wasir, J. S; Chadha, D; Joshi, S. R; Sadikot, S; Gupta, R; Gulati, S; Munjal, Y. P (2009). "Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians and recommendations for physical activity, medical and surgical management". The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 57: 163–70. PMID 19582986.