According to a new health research study of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 27% of married couples in India are either overweight or obese. That is more than 1 in every 4 couples carrying extra weight together.
The research is based on data from more than 52,000 married couples of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) between 2019 and 2021. It is one of the largest studies in India examining the link between couple’s health and weight.
Shared habits, shared weight
The researchers found a concept they termed “spousal concordance”. The definition of “spousal concordance” is that couples often have the same health conditions – particularly when it comes to weight. It is not always by coincidence – Partners tend to adopt the same habits. Whether it is, eating calorie-dense meals, watching television late into the night, or resisting physical activity – these behaviours are often coupled, and when these behaviours are coupled together, they often lead to coupled weight gain.
“Couples generally influence each other from our diet to how we exercise,” said the ICMR team.
Who Was Most Affected?
Urban, young, and rich couples were most affected, as marked by198.5 percent of pairs with a household effective income of 15 thousand rupees declaring either one or both of the couples to be overweight or obese. Among the richest households in India, 48.0 percent declared being either overweight or obese. The equivalent is about 38.4 percent for couples in urban households.
Other things associated with both couples being overweight are:
Media consumption also played a role. Couples that regularly read newspapers or watched television were more likely to find their weight gain together. Food choices also contributed, as couples were at a higher risk with non-vegetarian food choices like fish, eggs, or chicken, at least some of the time, weekly.
Where Else in India, Is This Happening?
Geographically, the problem was worse in the southern and northern states of India. The huge number of overweight couples was located in the southern and northern states – with states such as Kerala, Punjab, Delhi, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu leading the list with more than 42% in some instances.
The Problem Is Not Only Food
Although bad food choices and lack of exercise are big contributing factors, culture and economy also impacted severity. Some people continue to perceive the practice of overweight as a sign of financial security and good health. Rice or wheat are also subsidized in India, allowing these cheap starches to be prioritized. Often, there are dishes with inexpensive costs of mashed potatoes or potatoes as their staple ingredient with very cheap carb-based diets, eliminating healthier options like vegetables or protein-based foods (e.g., lentils).
Also Read: Artificial Intelligence To Replace Most Jobs By 2045, But Not These
What Now
The ICMR team has suggested that the weight treatment incorporation shift; rather than treating adults separately, we commenced treating them as a couple or family. Health strategies should have positive impacts on the couple’s decision-making, especially those currently found in urban and affluent households.
If there is a continuation of this trend, there is a high probability that the obesity rise will lead to greater cases of diabetes, heart disease, infertility issues, and cancer in the following years, which serves as a wake-up call to not only individuals but families stretching to ancestors.
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