Control Obesity and Live Longer

Obesity is a complex and costly chronic disease influenced by many factors. These factors include health behaviors, stress, health conditions and medications, genes, and people’s environment. Knowing the risk factors can help individuals and communities take steps to prevent and reduce obesity. Physical activity can make you feel better, function better, and sleep better. The amount of physical activity you need depends mostly on your age. There are many ways to add physical activity to your life. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health. The recommended amount of physical activity per week varies by age and other factors. Remember that some activity is better than none. India is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition from underweight to overweight/obese population. Obesity is a major risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and is also implicated as a factor in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. A robust, pan-Indian estimate of obesity is not yet available.