The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has recommended that Indians adopt a plant-based diet to combat the country’s obesity crisis.
Figures from India’s National Health Family Survey indicate that obesity prevalence has reached 23% in men and 24% in women, while waist-to-hip ratio data shows that 48% of men and 57% of women are at “substantial increased risk of metabolic complication”. This has been blamed on the increasing availability, affordability, and shelf life of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
The PCRM explains that the westernization of Indian diets, along with increased preferences for less healthy Indian foods such as deep-fried products and dishes made with ghee, has contributed to rising obesity rates. The organization advocates managing obesity by centering diets on minimally processed plant-based foods such as grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, while avoiding animal products, high-fat dairy products, fried foods, and added sugars.
Preventing chronic diseases
In May, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) emphasized the importance of addressing obesity in its new dietary guidelines, which advise eating a diet rich in vegetables and legumes. The organization noted that high BMIs have been linked to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
A study published last year found that vegan diets can improve cardiovascular health within just two months, while other research indicates that healthy plant-based diets can slow the aging process, reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and even reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
Consequently, the PCRM is also advocating for plant-based diets as a way to prevent health issues from developing. Earlier this year, Dr. Vanita Rahman, clinic director for the Barnard Medical Center, toured Indian medical schools to inform students and faculty of the importance of good nutrition.
“The traditional Indian diet based on legumes, fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, and flatbreads made with whole grains helped to keep chronic disease rates low,” says Dr. Rahman. “However, India has seen an influx of Western-style fast food — from burgers and fried chicken to pizza and ice cream — and Indian food itself has become more processed, leading to a dramatic increase in diet-related disease.”
