India’s Health Crisis: India is currently navigating a silent crisis. Quietly yet steadily, at least five diseases are beginning to debilitate the population. In the near future, these ailments could cripple the country's economy. A new report by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) offers alarming indications regarding this trend. The report states that one in every three women and one in every four men suffers from obesity. Furthermore, the number of diabetes patients in the country is rising day by day.

India has already come to be known as the "Diabetes Capital of the World." While 100 million people here are currently undergoing diabetes treatment, the actual number of patients is far higher; this is because the majority of people in India do not get tested for diabetes and, consequently, remain unaware that a disease is silently developing within their bodies. These two conditions are leading to a host of secondary ailments, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and various liver disorders.

**Elevated Risk of Other Diseases**
According to the latest data from the National Family Health Survey, there has been a rapid surge in cases of obesity and high blood sugar among adults. Currently, one in every three women and more than one in every four men are either overweight or obese. Concurrently, the prevalence of elevated blood sugar levels among the population is also rising rapidly. All these factors serve as indicators of other serious health risks. Experts attribute these issues primarily to poor lifestyle choices, physical inactivity, increased consumption of junk food, stress, and irregular daily routines. Obesity and high blood sugar levels not only heighten the risk of developing diabetes but also significantly increase the likelihood of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and kidney-related ailments.

**Diseases Affecting Children as Young as 15**
In India, the battle against lifestyle-related diseases is becoming increasingly arduous. The latest data from the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) reveal a sharp rise in cases of obesity and high blood sugar levels among the adult population across the country. Currently, nearly one in every three women and more than one in every four men are overweight or obese. Simultaneously, the number of people with high blood sugar levels has also risen significantly compared to the previous survey. According to the survey, 30.7% of women aged 15 to 49 suffer from being overweight or obese, whereas this figure stood at 24% in NFHS-5. Among men, this percentage has increased from 22.9% to 27.3%. Similarly, the proportion of women taking medication for high blood sugar or diabetes has risen from 13.5% to 17.8%. Among men, this figure has climbed from 15.6% to reach 20.9%. Even children have begun to struggle with obesity and blood sugar issues.

**Why is Obesity on the Rise?**
Dr. Paras Agarwal, Clinical Director of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolic Disorders at Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, states that there is not just one, but several reasons for the rise in obesity. The most significant factor is our lifestyle. Everything has changed today. People lack time and, consequently, desire instant gratification in every aspect of life. Due to this time crunch, the trend of consuming ready-to-eat meals emerged; today, this has evolved further, with thousands of food products now available in packaged form. These packaged foods are absolutely detrimental to our health. In other words, our poor dietary habits constitute the primary cause. The second major factor is physical inactivity. Amidst our busy schedules, we fail to engage in any form of physical activity. In earlier times, people performed much more physically demanding labor; however, today, we do not even take a half-hour walk. Apart from these factors, stress, lack of sleep, and—in some instances—genetics also play a contributing role.

**How ​​to Avert the Risks of Obesity and Diabetes**
Dr. Paras Agarwal explains that there is a remarkably simple way to prevent obesity and diabetes: eat and drink the right things, engage in physical exertion, avoid stress, and ensure you get adequate sleep. If we were to adopt the diet of our ancestors, we could easily avoid all these ailments. One should regularly consume home-cooked meals prepared from pure grains, along with green vegetables, lentils, fruits, seeds, and similar items. Furthermore, one should engage in physical activity—of any kind—for at least half an hour each day, sufficient to induce physical exertion. This could involve sprinting, lifting heavy objects around the house, or performing strenuous tasks; if none of these are feasible, simply take a brisk walk for half an hour. Additionally, to alleviate stress, practice yoga and meditation, and ensure you get a restful night's sleep.

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