Addressing obesity among females: The need for focused strategies in National programmes

Abstract

Prevalence of obesity is increasing in both developed and developing countries. India is also facing a double
burden of malnutrition as already existing malnutrition and increasing prevalence of obesity. Evidence
suggests that prevalence of obesity is more in women as compared to men due to consumption of pre-packed
energy-dense food, hormonal change during pregnancy and menopause. Obese females are more prone to life
style diseases and abdominal obesity increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and is strongly related to poly
cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Obesity’s impact can be seen in the life cycle of women. It not only
impacts the physical health of women but on her psychological, social, reproductive and social well-being
which hampers her overall health. To address obesity various programmes and interventions have already
been formulated by the Government of India. Need is to address the issue of obesity at every stage of
women’s life cycle and this can be done by adding some interventions in already existing programmes.