New Delhi: India could have over 440 million overweight and obese individuals by 2050, making it the second highest in the world after China, according to a recent study published in The Lancet journal.

The study has estimated that nearly 60 percent of adults and a third of all children across the globe will be overweight or obese by 2050 if the governments do not take any action.

In India, the projected numbers for mid-century include 218 million overweight or obese men and 231 million women, placing the country second only to China. The United States, Brazil, and Nigeria are expected to follow in third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively, the findings by an international team of researchers reveal.

The study warns that without urgent policy interventions, over half of the world's population aged 25 and above (3.8 billion people) will be affected by obesity. Additionally, about a third of all children and young people, approximately 746 million, are forecasted to be overweight or obese by 2050.

More than half of the world's adults with overweight or obesity in 2021 were concentrated in just eight countries: China (402 million), India (180 million), the USA (172 million), Brazil (88 million), Russia (71 million), Mexico (58 million), Indonesia (52 million), and Egypt (41 million).

“The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” lead author Prof Emmanuela Gakidou, from the University of Washington, said in a statement.

Researchers highlighted that children today are gaining weight faster than previous generations, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and various cancers at a younger age.

The study’s findings come just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rising obesity in India during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address. He urged citizens to reduce oil consumption, emphasising that it is not just a personal choice but a collective responsibility towards better health.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Noida (PTI): A Lamborghini hit two pedestrians on a footpath adjacent to an under-construction building in sector 94 here on Sunday, police said.

The injured, labourers from Chhattisgarh, were rushed to a nearby hospital and are said to be out of danger. They have suffered a fracture in their legs, police said.

A purported video surfaced online showing that after the accident, a man was heard asking the accused if he knew how many people died here. To this, the accused asked the locals "koi mar gaya idhar? (did anyone die here?)" and came out of the car.

Following this, someone in the video could be heard saying, "police ko bulao (call the police)".

Bhupendra Singh, In-charge at Sector 126 Police Station told PTI, "In the car accident two labourers were injured and they were from Chhattisgarh. They are out of danger and have fractures in their legs."

The accident happened adjacent to an under-construction building, he said.

"The car driver has been identified as Deepak, a resident of Ajmer and the car is registered with the Puducherry registration. He has been arrested and the car has been seized," he added.

During questioning he told the police that the accident happened due to a fault in the vehicle. Further investigation is underway, Singh said.