World Obesity Day 2025: Understanding Hidden Dangers of Obesity and Thin Fat Phenomenon - Dr Hridish Narayan Chakravarti

The diagnosis of obesity in India is crucial for several reasons, given the growing prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks.

Obesity rates in India have been steadily increasing, particularly in urban areas, due to lifestyle changes, sedentary behavior, and poor dietary habits. Early diagnosis helps identify the problem before it leads to more severe health conditions.

Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Diagnosing obesity early can help in implementing preventive measures to avoid or delay the onset of these diseases.

Childhood obesity is on the rise in India, and its diagnosis is critical for preventing lifelong health problems. Identifying obesity in children and adolescents can help implement early interventions that can prevent the development of obesity-related health issues in adulthood.

There is a recent advancement seen by researchers which is called "thin fat" individuals, referring to people who may appear to be of normal weight or even thin based on traditional measures like Body Mass Index (BMI) but still have a high percentage of body fat.

This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the context of India, where increasing urbanization, changing lifestyles, and dietary patterns have led to a rise in cases of people who might be classified as "normal weight" but are still at risk for obesity-related health issues due to their body composition.

Many Indians, particularly those in urban areas, lead a sedentary lifestyle and consume diets that are high in processed foods, sugars, and fats. Even without an increase in total body weight, the imbalance between calorie intake and physical activity can contribute to "thin fat" conditions.

The "thin fat" phenomenon is an emerging health concern in India, where individuals may look healthy based on traditional metrics like BMI but still be at risk for metabolic diseases due to unhealthy fat distribution and lifestyle choices.

To combat this, there's a need for increased awareness of the importance of body composition, a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and health screening, rather than relying solely on weight-based measurements to assess health.

Obesity is linked to a wide range of lifestyle diseases that can significantly impact a person's health, including:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
• Sleep Apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Kidney Disease
• Infertility

Obesity is a major risk factor for a wide variety of lifestyle diseases, and these diseases can have severe long-term effects on health and quality of life. Preventing obesity through healthy eating, regular physical activity, and lifestyle changes is key to reducing the risk of these diseases.

For those already affected by obesity, early diagnosis, management, and treatment can help reduce the risk of complications and improve overall health.