New Delhi, February 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to tackle obesity for a healthier nation, urging citizens to reduce their cooking oil consumption by 10%. During his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi highlighted the growing obesity problem, stating that one in eight individuals in India struggles with excess weight, and such cases have doubled in recent years.
Modi pointed out an even more concerning trend—childhood obesity has increased fourfold. Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, he revealed that 2.5 billion people worldwide were overweight in 2022, demonstrating a global crisis.
He stressed, “These statistics are alarming and compel us to think about why this is happening.” According to Modi, obesity not only brings discomfort but also leads to various health complications, including heart diseases, diabetes, and high stress levels.
To address this issue, the Prime Minister proposed a simple yet effective strategy:
“Reduce oil consumption by 10%. Decide today that you will use 10% less oil every month. While purchasing oil, buy 10% less than usual,” Modi suggested.
He encouraged citizens to spread this message, asking ten people to adopt this practice and urging each of them to pass it on to ten more individuals, creating a chain of health-consciousness.
The broadcast also featured audio messages from Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, boxing champion Nikhat Zareen, and other personalities, advocating for healthy lifestyle changes to combat obesity.
Modi concluded by saying, “Using less oil and fighting obesity is not just a personal choice but a responsibility towards our families. Excessive oil in our diet can lead to heart diseases, diabetes, and chronic stress. By making small changes in our diet, we can build a strong, healthy, and disease-free future.”
The initiative aims to create widespread awareness and encourage healthy eating habits, contributing to a healthier and more resilient India.
