Do you know carrying extra weight in your body can have a serious impact on your health in the long term? It can lead to various critical diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain cancers. Obesity has become a global health concern and in India over 70 million adults are obese, henceforth, bringing new obesity parameters became highly essential for the country.
Primarily obesity was accessed through Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumstances also important indicators to access abdominal fat. Indians are more susceptible to obesity-related diseases even at lower BMI levels. A recent report has shown the limitation of BMI and high risk of abdominal fat and recognising the intensity, India, for the first time, has revised the obesity parameters after 15 years for early detection of the symptoms and to reduce the long-term impact of obesity-related health risks.
Results of the study of The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology
A report published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology has highlighted a significant limitation of BMI as a sole measure of obesity by understanding that India has to upgrade its obesity parameters. BMI only detect body fat but is not able to detect where the fat is stored in the body. The only utilisation of BMI, fails to differentiate the distribution of fats in the body and also does not able to differentiate fat and muscle.
Different studies have shown that excessive fat in the abdominal areas is highly concerning. People with higher waist circumstances have been noticed to be at higher risks for developing heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders even if their BMI falls within the normal range.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a BMI range of 25-29.9 kg/m² is classified as overweight and a higher BMI range of 30 kg/m² is classified as obese. However, under this range, it is not possible to measure where the fat is stored, in the abdominal area, around vital organs or is distributed throughout the body as explored in the new study.
The revised obesity parameters in India
The reason for revising the obesity parameters in India is because of higher risks of abdominal obesity and metabolic health risks. However, India brings two primary changes in the parameters that can help the country to address the growing issue of overweight and its health-related issues. For this, a group of health experts from India from leading institutions of the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), Fortis C-DOC Hospital and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) unite for the revision of the obesity parameter.
One of the key changes in the new parameter published by India is the removal of the word “overweight” and introduce a new word “two-grade obesity”. When BMI is higher than 23 kg/m² without any kind of health complications will be classified as Grade I Obesity and if the same range BMI is associated with health risks like hypertension, diabetes and so on will be classified as Grade II Obesity.
Additionally, the waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio are prioritised as the most significant parameters to measure obesity-related health risks. If waist circumference is more than 90 cm for men and more than 80 cm for women then it means that those Indians are more prone to abdominal obesity.
Why did India take this step?
One of the main reasons for bringing new obesity parameters in India is the growing concerns of obesity-related health issues in the past few decades among adults and children. The number only doubled over the past two decades because of inactivity, poor diet choices, lack of protein intake, sedentary lifestyle and so on.
The ratio of abdominal obesity among women has risen by 40% and among men has risen by 12%. The 2009 guidelines for obesity were solely measured by using BMI and after the study of The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, it has been proven that the measures were inadequate. Indians have more tendency to have metabolic disorders even with lower BMI due to genetic and lifestyle factors.
Additionally, the broader definition published by the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology regarding obesity has also changed the way obesity was previously measured in India. Henceforth, the inclusion of the indicator of waist circumferences with a revised BMI range will identify who is more tend to be obese.
Impact of the Revised Parameters on India
First of all, with the revised obesity parameters, a larger population of India might come under the risk range of being obese who are previously classified under the normal range. With revised BMI range and waist circumference indicators, every individual will be able to detect earlier the symptoms of obesity. Even earlier diagnosis and intervention can also help prevent severe health issues related to obesity.
It will also be beneficial to promote better public health services. With the early detection of obesity, the government, NGOs and health organisations can target larger populations with better health campaigns. Through these campaigns the public can be aware of the nutritional value, can take part in physical activities and also be a part of an obesity prevention strategy to lead a healthier life.
Another significant impact will be on healthcare professionals to improve their services. When healthcare professionals will be able to detect obesity at on earlier stage then they will be able to offer personalised weight management plans, diet plans, non-surgical obesity treatments and so on through which they can address severe cases and ensure better health for the Indian public.
Comparison of India’s obesity parameters with other countries
India changed the obesity parameters and brought strict rules, where a BMI over 23 kg/m² is considered overweight and over 25 kg/m² is classified as obesity because of a higher tendency of metabolic disorders among adults and children.
In China, the obesity rate is 34.29%, with a higher obesity rate in North China around 27.93%. A BMI of 24 to 27.9 kg/m² is defined as overweight and a BMI of 28 kg/m² is considered obesity according to Chinese obesity parameters which are close to India’s revised guidelines.
Tonga, a country in the South Pacific, has the highest obesity rate. Over 71% of adults are obese in this country. Tonga is following the global guidelines published by WHO where BMI over 30 kg/m² is considered obese. The country needs to change its obesity parameters like India has done to reduce the obesity rate.
Japan has a lower prevalence of obesity. Only 4.3% of adults are women and 6% of men are obese. In Japan, a BMI parameter over 25 kg/m² is considered obese and waist circumference indicators are also used to assess abdominal fat. Because of stricter rules, the prevalence of obesity in Japan is very low compared to India.
In Southwest Asia, similar standards and guidelines regarding obesity-related health risks have also been noted where the obesity rate has been tried to be reduced. However, most countries which are lower prevalence of obesity have stricter rules than the global BMI standards mentioned by WHO. Henceforth, to address the global concerns of obesity, WHO needs to strict the obesity parameters.
FAQ
1. Why has India revised its obesity parameters?
The reason for revising the obesity parameters in India is because of higher risks of abdominal obesity and metabolic health risks.
2. What is the main change in the revised obesity parameters in India?
One of the key changes in the new parameter published by India is the removal of the word “overweight” and introducing a new term “two-grade obesity.”
3. What is considered Grade I Obesity in India’s new guidelines?
When BMI is higher than 23 kg/m² without any kind of health complications, it will be classified as Grade I Obesity.
4. How is abdominal obesity measured in the revised guidelines?
If waist circumference is more than 90 cm for men and more than 80 cm for women, then it indicates higher susceptibility to abdominal obesity.
5. What impact will the revised obesity parameters have on India’s public health?
The revised obesity parameters will help in earlier detection of obesity, allowing for better health campaigns and prevention strategies.
6. How do India’s obesity parameters compare to China’s?
In China, a BMI of 24 to 27.9 kg/m² is defined as overweight, and a BMI of 28 kg/m² is considered obesity, which is close to India’s revised guidelines.
7. What is the obesity prevalence in Tonga and how does it compare with India?
Tonga has the highest obesity rate with over 71% of adults obese. It follows the global guidelines, but India’s stricter guidelines could help reduce obesity rates more effectively.