Increasing incidents of obesity: PM Modi calls for use of less oil in food

New Delhi: Expressing concern over increasing incidents of obesity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to use less oil in food and also pass on the challenge of reducing oil intake by 10 per cent to 10 others.

In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, Modi said using less oil in food and dealing with obesity is not just a personal choice but also our responsibility towards our family.

Modi also played out messages from double Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and boxing champion Nikhat Zareen who urged people to adopt healthy lifestyles and avoid fried food.

Citing a study, the PM said that one in every eight people faces the problem of obesity. "WHO data shows that in 2022, about 250 crore people around the world were overweight, that is, they had more weight than required. These statistics are very serious and force all of us to think why this is happening. Excess weight or obesity gives rise to many kinds of problems and diseases," the PM said.

Modi said excessive use of oil in food can cause many health issues like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

"For example, one method I suggested was reducing the consumption of edible oil by 10 percent. Decide that you will use 10 per cent less oil every month. You can decide that while buying oil for cooking, you will buy 10 per cent less oil. This will be an important step towards reducing obesity," he said.

The Prime Minister said, “I will also urge them to pass on the same challenge to 10 new people. I am sure this will help a lot in fighting obesity."

During the broadcast, cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty's message was also shared in which he said obesity today is not a cosmetic problem but a very serious medical problem.

Shetty also said, "Majority of the youngsters in India today are obese. The main cause of obesity today is poor quality of food intake, especially excess intake of carbohydrates that is rice, chapati and sugar, and of course, large consumption of oil."

Asking youngsters to start exercise, control diet and be active, Shetty cautioned that obesity leads to major medical problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver and many other complications.