After Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which was elevated to a mass movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now taken upon himself the task to combat obesity by encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Prime Minister Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address, spoke of the rising obesity concerns across the world, calling it not just an individual concern but one of communal responsibility. He stressed that laws alone cannot solve such challenges—public awareness and community-driven initiatives are critical.
According to PM Modi, WHO estimates show that about 2.5 billion of the world’s population in 2022 will fall under the overweight category of the population, with obesity touching one person out of eight. He said that excessive weight brings along with it a host of health problems like diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments, and mental battles.
Urging people to use less oil in their food, he said: “Fighting obesity is not just a personal choice but also a duty towards our family and society.”
As mentioned in yesterday’s #MannKiBaat, I would like to nominate the following people to help strengthen the fight against obesity and spread awareness on reducing edible oil consumption in food. I also request them to nominate 10 people each so that our movement gets bigger!… pic.twitter.com/bpzmgnXsp4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2025
To build momentum for this campaign, PM Modi named ten eminent personalities to act as brand ambassadors to spread awareness and encourage healthier habits:
- Anand Mahindra (Industrialist)
- Nirahua Hindustani (Actor)
- Manu Bhaker (Olympic Shooter)
- Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifter)
- Mohanlal (Actor)
- Nandan Nilekani (Infosys Co-founder)
- R Madhavan (Actor)
- Shreya Ghoshal (Singer)
- Sudha Murty (Author & Philanthropist)
- Omar Abdullah (Politician)
PM Modi urged these nominees to further nominate 10 individuals each, creating a chain reaction to amplify awareness.
Obesity in India: A Growing Concern
Obesity has been a growing concern and an a crisis in India, affecting all ages in society. Various factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, lack of movement, and eating too much processed and calorie-dense foods, including oil, are responsible for putting India amongst the top countries for obesity-related health risks. There are about 120 calories in one tablespoon of oil. Trans fats in refined oils accumulate in fat on the body and can lead to metabolic disorders and insulin resistance.
As per Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, over 100 million people in India struggle with obesity in general and abdominal obesity in specific. In India, 12% of men and 40% of women are abdominally obese. Kerala (65.4%), Tamil Nadu (57.9%), Punjab (62.5%), and Delhi (59%) led in incidence rates.
Other than posing severe health threats, obesity fosters psychological disturbances that could subsequently break societal development. PM Modi’s initiative educates Indians on a balanced diet and fixed physical activity with a view toward a more active and healthier Indian person.
R Madhavan nominated several sportsmen and film personalities, including Neeraj Chopra, Anirban Lahiri, and Vivek Oberoi, encouraging them to be standpoint-holders in furthering the campaign.
I thank the Honorable Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi Ji, for launching this essential and impactful awareness program to inspire our nation toward better health. I am honored to be nominated to help spread this important message.
I, in turn, nominate the following… https://t.co/LDw7rb86pI
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) February 24, 2025
This initiative captures the point that just as cleanliness took a social commitment to change behavior, the fight against obesity too should represent a similar societal process. With collective participation, awareness, and lifestyle changes, this health menace can be really fought by India.
