Obesity report: Alarming surge in chronic joint pains and hypertension starting at 26 in India

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In a comprehensive effort to address the pressing issue of obesity in India, HexaHealth, a Gurugram-based Healthtech platform, recently conducted a two-month survey focusing on 1000 individuals in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

The study targeted individuals aged between 18 to 55 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, all classified as obese. The HexaHealth Obesity Report sheds light on various aspects, revealing concerning patterns in comorbidities, awareness towards medical treatments, fitness efforts and more.

The report highlights that Bengaluru's obese youngsters are particularly vulnerable to developing comorbidities early on, with the highest rate among the under-20 metro youth population. Of the 1,000 participants, 15 percent of under-20 Bengaluru youngsters had developed more than one comorbidity.

As age progressed, comorbidities in Delhi and Mumbai youngsters increased significantly, reaching 36 percent and 41 percent, respectively, by the age of 26-35 years.

The Obesity Report indicates a noteworthy surge in chronic joint pains and hypertension starting at 26 years old. Comorbidities increased fourfold between ages 26 and 35, with a 50 percent increase after entering the 36 to 45 years age bracket.

The public health challenge: Obesity in India

Obesity in India is a significant public health concern, associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which contribute to 5.87 million deaths annually in the country. Despite the seriousness of this issue, obesity often takes a backseat to other health concerns like cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.

Ankur Gigras, CEO and Co-founder of HexaHealth, expressed concern over the findings, stating, "The occurrence of comorbidities in youth under 20 years of age is particularly alarming. Our survey outcomes align closely with existing scientific research, emphasising the urgency of addressing obesity-related health concerns at all levels - medical and social."

Key Findings from the Obesity Report:

Comorbidity Prevalence:

Joints and orthopaedic issues are more prevalent among obese individuals.

21 percent experience joint and orthopaedic comorbidities.

Occurrence of joint and orthopaedic cases increases to 26 percent by the age of 36.

13 percent of users aged 18-25 already report at least one comorbidity.

Awareness towards medical treatments:

Mumbai users exhibit a lower willingness to seek medical treatments (15.97 percent).

NCR exhibits a notably high willingness to pursue weight loss medical treatment.

Mumbai users, especially in the age bracket of 46-55 years, show a higher level of ignorance (36.59 percent) towards medical treatments for weight loss.

Fitness efforts and dieting:

Mumbai has the highest percentage (43.70 percent) of individuals actively participating in fitness activities.

Dieting was actively pursued by Mumbai users (42.58 percent).

Impact of work from home (WFH) on obesity:

70 percent of users in Bangalore reported at least 6 hours of daily sitting.

Use of Fitness Gadgets:

Fitness gadget adoption is highest in Bangalore (43 percent).

Users on medication:

Mumbai shows balanced medication usage (53.22 percent), Delhi NCR leans slightly towards medication (51.47 percent), and Bengaluru reveals a higher reliance on obese medication (56.07 percent).

The Obesity Report emphasises the need for concerted efforts and awareness campaigns to combat the complex interplay of obesity and comorbidities in these cities. As the nation grapples with this silent epidemic, initiatives like this shed light on the multifaceted dimensions of obesity, providing valuable insights for public health interventions.