Emphasising the importance of fitness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described obesity as the “root cause of many diseases” while sharing a report predicting that nearly 44 crore people in India could be obese by 2050.
Addressing a public gathering in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DNH), Modi stressed the need for weight reduction and urged people to cut their daily cooking oil intake by 10 percent to combat obesity. “Lifestyle-related diseases are becoming a serious health concern, and obesity is a key factor behind many ailments,” he said.
On a two-day visit to South Gujarat, Modi arrived in the Union Territory, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various development projects worth Rs 2,587 crore. He also participated in a roadshow before the public event.
Among the key projects, Modi inaugurated the first phase of the 450-bed NAMO Hospital and Research Centre in Silvassa. Built at a cost of Rs 460 crore, the hospital is expected to significantly enhance healthcare services in the Centre-administered region.
“We are striving towards a Vikshit Bharat, and a healthy nation is essential for that,” Modi said. “Obesity is on the rise and could lead to severe illnesses in the future. Regular exercise and mindful eating habits are crucial to addressing this issue. Reducing cooking oil consumption by 10 percent would be a step in the right direction.”