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A governemnt survey revealed that 40% of women have hip measurements above the healthy range, while 12% of men show significant abdominal fat.
Visceral fat around organs increases risk of heart and liver diseases.
Once flaunted as a mark of prosperity, the “pot belly” is no longer something to be proud of. This expanding waistline, once associated with wealth and well-being, is now emerging as a stealthy harbinger of disease – working silently, damaging vital organs like the liver, heart, kidneys, and intestines without warning.
Across rural areas, a large belly can still be seen as a sign of affluence. But what many don’t realise is that this very sign of “good living” could be a ticking time bomb. Fat accumulated around the stomach, known as visceral fat, is the most dangerous kind. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies under the skin, visceral fat wraps around internal organs, interfering with their function and triggering serious health complications.
According to a recent Lancet report, around 20 crore people in India are currently classified as obese – a number expected to soar to 45 crore by 2050. Among the most common consequences is fatty liver disease, a condition now affecting 3 out of every 5 people. Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is directly linked to a spike in heart and liver diseases. It’s also fuelling the country’s diabetes crisis – 14 crore people currently suffer from type 2 diabetes, a figure that continues to grow rapidly.
The National Family Health Survey reveals that 40% of women have waist and hip measurements above the healthy range, while 12% of men show significant abdominal fat. Doctors warn that belly fat is more dangerous than overall body fat. In fact, according to health guidelines, men with waists over 35 inches and women with waists above 31 inches are already in the risk zone.
While many developed nations battle obesity, the distribution of fat in Indian bodies seems uniquely harmful. In many parts of the world, obesity tends to spread across the body. But in India, fat often collects around the midsection. Some scientists suggest this could be due to the inefficiency of fat cells, which fail to store fat under the skin, forcing the body to stash it around vital organs like the liver, pancreas, and heart – raising the risk of insulin resistance and heart disease.
There’s also an evolutionary theory tied to the country’s history of poverty and food scarcity. Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman of the Fortis C-Doc Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, tells the BBC that for generations, the Indian body adapted to store fat in the most expandable area – the abdomen – as a reserve against food shortages. With rising food availability in recent decades, that adaptation may now be backfiring. “It’s a hypothetical theory but a plausible one,” Dr Misra said.
Unfortunately, shedding belly fat is far harder than gaining it. Dr Misra warns that once fat starts settling around the midsection, it becomes increasingly stubborn. In the early stages, lifestyle changes can help reverse the trend. But once visceral fat builds up, it demands a serious commitment to exercise and diet.
Experts recommend at least 1-2 hours of daily physical activity, with a focus on high-intensity workouts. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole foods, paired with reduced portion sizes, is key. Sleep hygiene also plays a role. And above all, consistency is critical.
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