Study in India shows increase in both underweight and overweight populations

According to a study, the average household in Chandigarh spends about 19 lakh rupees annually. This city has become the leader in India for per capita household spending levels, according to the report The Many Urban Indias, prepared by People’s Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE) in collaboration with Tata Sons.

The study analyzes how households in India's 100 largest cities earn, spend, save, and take loans. Chandigarh demonstrates the highest average household expenditure level in the country, surpassing India's largest metropolitan areas in this metric.

In the report, Chandigarh is classified as a Frontier city, which falls under the category of smaller urban centers among India's 100 most populous cities. It is among the most high-spending urban centers in the country, alongside Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Furthermore, the report highlights the financial standing of households in Chandigarh, noting high savings levels and low debt levels.

In the study, high-income households are defined as those whose annual income exceeds 36 lakh rupees at 2025-26 prices. The share of such households among the 100 cities has increased to 12%, compared to 3% a decade ago.

Although Bengaluru has the highest average income, Chandigarh leads in consumption. Cities were divided into categories: 'Big Six'—cities with a population over 10 million; 'Boomtowns'—from 2.5 to 10 million; 'Breakout cities'—from 1.5 to 2.5 million; and 'Frontier cities'—from 0.5 to 1.5 million. Chandigarh falls into the Frontier category, while Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are in the 'Big Six'.

It is being observed nowadays that nutritional deficiency is not limited only to thin individuals. Even if a person has excess weight and appears normal externally, their body may still lack vitamins, protein, iron, or other essential nutrients.

A recent metabolic health study conducted in Delhi-NCR highlighted this situation. The study found that 55.7 percent of millennials were overweight or obese, while 70.8 percent of people aged 45 or older had elevated levels of visceral fat, which is dangerous fat accumulated around the organs. Many of these obese individuals also suffer from vitamin deficiencies.

Some people are making dietary changes with the aim of losing weight. Dr. Ejaz Ilmi, Senior Consultant and Head of the Metabolic Diseases Department at Pacific One Health Hospital, states that it is not appropriate to associate nutrient deficiency only with thin people, as this problem is clearly visible in obese people as well.

This problem is increasing due to urban lifestyle. Market food, packaged foods, and high-calorie diets fill the stomach, but they often do not contain adequate amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A study conducted on adults in Delhi-NCR also found a high prevalence of severe Vitamin D deficiency in the urban population. Furthermore, a link has been established between excess fat accumulation around the abdomen and Vitamin D deficiency.

According to dietitian Kanika Malhotra, weight loss does not just mean reducing the quantity of food. Many people reduce bread, rice, or whole meals in an attempt to lose weight quickly, which can lead to a deficiency of protein and essential nutrients. According to her suggestions, it is important to include various types of foods in the daily diet to provide better nutrition to the body, including adequate protein, vegetables, fruits, lentils, whole grains, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.