Pot Belly Sad Belly
The Indian pot belly, once seen as a sign of prosperity and respect, is now a major health concern. With rising obesity rates and belly fat linked to diabetes and heart disease, India faces a growing health crisis.
Once upon a time, having a pot belly in India meant something good. It was seen as a sign of wealth, good eating, and respect in old age. In villages, people believed, “This man eats well.” In books and films, it showed comfort or laziness. Cartoons often made fun of politicians with large bellies. But today, that same belly is causing worry.
India is now facing a serious obesity problem. In 2021, it had the second-highest number of overweight or obese adults in the world – 180 million people, second only to China. A recent report says this number may grow to 450 million by 2050, which is almost one-third of India’s future population.
At the centre of this issue is the pot belly – what doctors call abdominal obesity. This means too much fat around the belly. And it’s not just about looks. Studies from as far back as the 1990s show that belly fat is linked to diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart problems.
What Is Abdominal Obesity?
Obesity can look different on different people. Some people carry fat around the hips and thighs (called peripheral obesity), while others have it all over the body (general obesity). But in India, a growing number of people are carrying fat mainly around the belly.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5):
-
40% of Indian women and 12% of men have abdominal obesity.
-
For Indian men, a waist over 90cm (35 inches) is a concern.
-
For women, over 80cm (31 inches) is considered unhealthy.
-
Nearly half of women aged 30 to 49 already fall into this category.
-
Urban areas show more cases than rural ones.
Why Is Belly Fat So Dangerous?
One reason is insulin resistance. This is when the body stops reacting properly to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar. Belly fat makes this worse, which can lead to diabetes.
Also, South Asians – including Indians – tend to have more fat at the same body weight compared to people of other races. And while their bodies may not store much deep fat around organs, their fat cells are poor at keeping extra fat. So, the fat ends up in places like the liver and pancreas, which are crucial for managing sugar and fat in the body.
This increases the risk of serious diseases.
Could History Be a Reason?
Some experts believe it could be because of India’s past. For centuries, Indians faced famines and food shortages. To survive, the human body learned to store fat – especially in the belly, which has space to stretch.
Now, with food more available, the body keeps storing fat, even when it’s no longer needed – and that’s dangerous.
What Are Doctors Doing?
Doctors in India have now created new guidelines to better understand obesity in Indian bodies. They suggest two stages:
-
Stage One: High body weight but no belly fat or disease. These people can improve with better food, exercise, and sometimes medicines.
-
Stage Two: Belly fat with health problems like diabetes, joint pain, or fast heartbeats. These people need more serious help.
What’s Causing It?
Doctors say belly fat is increasing because of changing lifestyles:
-
More junk food and takeaways
-
Easy-to-make instant meals
-
Fried and oily home-cooked food
-
Less physical activity
Between 2009 and 2019, India was among the top countries in the rise of processed food and sugary drink consumption.
Even people who look thin on the outside can have unhealthy levels of belly fat. So, don’t be fooled by appearance.
What Can We Do?
Experts say Indians need to be more active than people in the West. While European men may stay healthy with 150 minutes of exercise per week, Indian men may need up to 300 minutes. Our bodies aren’t as good at dealing with fat, says Dr Anoop Misra, a top diabetes expert in Delhi.
The Bottom Line
The Indian pot belly is no longer just a joke or a symbol of good life. It’s a warning – a sign of growing health risks. If we don’t take action now, India could be facing a major health disaster in the coming years.
It’s time to look beyond tradition, and start thinking about healthy living – before the pot belly becomes a national burden.
News Sources : BBC
What's Your Reaction?
