365Telugu.com Online News,Hyderabad, May 18, 2025 : A growing health emergency is unfolding across India as obesity rates among women reach alarming levels, posing a significant threat to both maternal and child health, and impacting well-being throughout their lives.
Recent data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) paints a stark picture, revealing that a staggering 33.5% of women in urban areas are now obese, with rural figures not far behind at 19.7%. This shift, largely attributed to evolving lifestyles, is triggering serious health repercussions for women from their teenage years through menopause.
A groundbreaking study featured in the Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, spearheaded by experts at the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, throws a spotlight on this escalating crisis.
The research uncovers a critical link between obesity and gestational diabetes, with a disturbing 23.1% of women struggling with obesity going on to develop the pregnancy-related condition.
This not only endangers the mother’s health during pregnancy but also elevates the risk of complications for the newborn, both immediately after birth and in the long term.
Adding to the concern, the study reveals that obesity multiplies a woman’s risk of urinary incontinence by more than fivefold. This often-hidden condition severely diminishes quality of life yet remains largely undiagnosed and untreated.
Experts are particularly alarmed by the increasing prevalence of central obesity among South Asian women – a pattern where excess fat accumulates around the abdomen.
This specific fat distribution, often overlooked, is strongly associated with a heightened risk of chronic illnesses and complications affecting reproductive health.
Dietary habits high in carbohydrates, coupled with increasingly sedentary lifestyles and insufficient physical activity, are major contributing factors.
Dr. Shantha Kumari, a leading Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Past President of FOGSI, Treasurer of FIGO, underscored the significant interplay between obesity and fertility challenges.
“The connection we’re observing between obesity and fertility problems is becoming increasingly clear,” she stated. “Women with obesity frequently experience longer times to conceive, higher rates of miscarriage, and reduced success rates with assisted reproductive technologies.
In bustling cities like Hyderabad, where many women juggle demanding careers and family responsibilities, proactive measures taken early, even before pregnancy, can make a substantial difference.”
Dr. Lakshmi Chirumamilla, a Fertility Specialist and Medical Director at a prominent Hyderabad fertility center, emphasized the urgent need for greater public awareness regarding the profound health implications of excess weight.
“We must educate people that managing weight is far more than a cosmetic concern; it’s a chronic medical condition demanding serious attention and intervention,” she asserted.
“Fertility is significantly affected, alongside a heightened risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, and joint problems, potentially leading to metabolic syndrome at a very young age. Furthermore, obesity elevates the risk of endometrial and breast cancer.
In terms of fertility, obese women face a greater likelihood of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a major cause of infertility. Obesity can prolong the time it takes to conceive, and once pregnancy is achieved, the risk of miscarriage and various other pregnancy-related complications escalates dramatically.”
In a promising development, a novel, step-by-step approach has been developed to guide Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGs) in India in effectively assessing and managing obesity in women.
The research also highlights the significant benefits of even a modest 5–10% reduction in body weight in improving overall well-being. Lifestyle adjustments, including regular moderate exercise and a diet rich in fiber and low in glycemic index, remain the cornerstone of treatment, with medications and, in carefully selected cases, bariatric surgery offering additional support.
References:
- Palshetkar N. IJOGR, 28 Aug 2024, Vol. 11, Issue 3, pages 330 – 344
- Chaudhary, Monika et al. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia, Volume 14, 100208
- Shapira N. EPMA J. 2013 Jan 12;4(1):1
- Broughton DE, Moley KH. Fertil Steril. 2017 Apr;107(4):840-847
IJOGR..
The Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research is a respected peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and best practices in women’s health across India. The journal regularly publishes significant clinical studies, comprehensive reviews, and expert guidance tailored to the unique medical landscape of the country.