How undernutrition raises obesity and diabetes risk

While undernutrition is generally associated with a lack of proper nutrition health experts on Monday contended it is also an increasing risk factor for obesity and diabetesAccording to UNICEF in 2025 the global prevalence of obesity among schoolage children and adolescents exceeded underweight for the first timeThis dramatic shift in the face of malnutrition jeopardises the health and future potential of children communities and nationsThe UN agencyrsquos Child Nutrition Report revealed how unhealthy food environments are contributing to the worldwide surge in overweight and obesity in children and adolescentsldquoWhen we think of undernutrition we usually picture thin children or adults who havenrsquot grown properly But in todayrsquos world undernutrition can also lead to obesity People from poorer backgrounds with less awareness often end up buying cheap foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat but low in nutritionrdquo Dr Rajeev Jayadevan Chairman Scientific Committee IMA Cochin told IANSldquoSugary soft drinks for example are heavily advertised by celebrities and sold cheaply yet they fuel obesity and diabetes Unlike relatively educated individuals who might consume water and a balanced diet complete with protein fibre fruits and vegetables these individuals opt for sugary sugarsweetened beverages caloriedense oilfried snacks and packaged foods which are relatively cheaprdquo he addedThe expert noted that undernourished mothers give birth to children who are prone to obesity as they grow up into adulthood especially when food becomes abundantThis can be seen in a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism where Indian researchers looked at a rat model of undernutrition over 50 generations closely mimicking human populations in developing countriesThe undernourished rats had higher circulating insulin and lower vitamin B12 and folate levels compared to control ratsThe findings revealed that undernourished rats display metabolic abnormalities associated with epigenetic changes which are not reversed following unrestricted access to normal chow in two subsequent generationsIn India the paradox of undernutrition heightening the risk of obesity and diabetes is often explained through the concept of the lsquodouble burden of malnutritionrsquordquo Dr Sanjeev Galande Dean School of Natural Sciences Shiv Nadar University DelhiNCR one of the authors of the paper told IANSGalande explained that earlylife undernutrition conditions the body to conserve energy store fat efficiently and develop lower muscle mass leading to longterm metabolic changesWhen such individuals are later exposed to caloriedense diets and sedentary lifestyles now increasingly prevalent in India they face a significantly higher risk of obesity type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases he addedThe experts also cited a lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle in raising the risk of obesity among these people which can be further compounded by smoking and alcohol useWith both obesity and diabetes increasing the experts called for more action to strengthen the accessibility of nutritious affordable food and to tackle the marketing of unhealthy foodsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever