One in four Indian adults is obese

Nearly one in four Indian adults is obese, says a study titled ‘Building on success to secure India’s future health’ released on November 25 by the not-for-profit Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Citing data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, the study highlights major regional disparities — 41 percent of women in Delhi are obese compared to 12 percent in Meghalaya and 22.8 percent of children in the 6-16 years age group in Delhi are obese compared to 13.6 percent in Maharashtra.

The report warns that obesity is increasing India’s disease burden and exerting pressure on the economy. Obesity costs India $2.4 billion (Rs.21,566 crore) every year in healthcare spending and reduces the country’s economic output by $28.9 billion (Rs 2 lakh crore), which is 1 percent of GDP. “By combining technology, data and community-driven action, India can not only reduce the growing burden of obesity but also build a stronger, more resilient health system for future generations,” says Vivek Agarwal, Country Director at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Microplastics raise bone fracture risk

A study published in Osteoporosis International (November) warns that microplastics — tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm long — can harm human bone tissue and raise bone fracture risk. Researchers from the Laboratory for Evaluation of Mineral and Bone Disorders in Nephrology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, São Paulo (Brazil), who analysed 62 studies, found that microplastics can impair bone cell viability, speed up cellular aging, spark inflammation, and increase osteoclast activity, which aggravates bone breakdown and osteoporosis.

“A significant body of research suggests that microplastics can reach deep into bone tissue, such as bone marrow, and potentially cause disturbances in its metabolism,” says medical scientist Rodrigo Bueno de Oliveira at the State University of Campinas who advises people to reduce exposure to microplastics by filtering drinking water and limiting the use of plastic products, from synthetic clothing to plastic water bottles.

Indian children start substance abuse at 12.9 years

A school survey covering 10 major Indian cities published in the National Medical Journal of India (December) indicates that children are resorting to substance use far earlier than previously believed, with the average starting age at 12.9 years.

Led by Dr. Anju Dhawan, chief of the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, the study investigated 5,920 class VIII, IX, XI and XII students from government and private schools. Researchers reported that tobacco and alcohol were the most commonly tried substances.

“The age of initiation of substance use was 12.9 years, comparable with findings of other Indian studies and lower than that reported from other regions. This suggests prevention and intervention are needed at age 12 and earlier, as for each delayed year of initiation of substance use, the likelihood of substance use disorder decreases,” say the study authors.

Junk food adversely affects brain’s memory centre

Junk food consumption disrupts the brain’s memory circuits, leading to risk of cognitive dysfunction, says a new study published in Neuron (September). Led by Juan Song, professor of pharmacology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine and Taylor Landry, first author,  the researchers discovered that a special group of brain cells in the hippocampus, known as CCK interneurons, become overly active after ingestion of a high-fat diet because of impaired ability of the brain to receive glucose (sugar). This overactivity impairs hippocampal functioning, affecting memory formation and recall.

“This study highlights how what we eat can rapidly affect brain health and how early interventions, whether through fasting or medicine, can protect memory and lower the risk of long-term cognitive problems linked to obesity and metabolic disorders,” says Song. “In the long run, such strategies help to reduce the growing burden of dementia and Alzheimer’s linked to metabolic disorders, offering more holistic care that addresses both body and brain.”