Prime Minister Modi calls for 10% less oil use to fight obesity crisis in India

India Today

a day ago

Obesity rates have surged in recent years, with a Lancet study earlier this year warning about the alarming speed at which the condition is spreading worldwide. The study predicts that by 2050, more than one-third of India's population will be classified as obese.Addressing the issue in his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to take small but meaningful steps towards better health. Among his suggestions was a call to buy at least 10% less cooking oil and to use 10% less oil in daily meals.advertisement'When I talk about fitness, I have a concern that I need to highlight. Obesity is becoming a huge public health problem for India. It is projected that at least one in three people will become obese. We have to get freedom from obesity. That's why I suggested that every family decide to buy 10% less oil, use 10% less oil, and participate in the fight against obesity,' said Prime Minister Modi in what became his longest Independence Day address to date.This Independence Day in his address to the nation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji highlighted that true freedom includes being free from lifestyle diseases. With obesity on the rise, small steps like using only 10% oil can make a big difference.Let's embrace healthier pic.twitter.com/cy62K1C3Mu— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) August 15, 2025
Prime Minister Modi's suggestion essentially promotes a gradual reduction in daily calorie intake. Oil, being highly calorie-dense, is an easy starting point. Just one tablespoon (about 15 ml) contains around 120 calories.These calories are not always obvious, but they add up quickly. Cutting oil use by 10% — even without changing the volume of food — can make a difference over time. For example, if someone typically uses three tablespoons of oil a day, reducing that by 10% means consuming about 36 fewer calories daily. While that number may seem small, such reductions, sustained over months or years, can lead to noticeable weight loss.India now ranks third in the world for the highest number of overweight and obese individuals, after the United States and China.This approach does not compromise satiety, meaning people are less likely to feel deprived or overcompensate by eating more elsewhere. Reducing oil use also lowers the amount of excess dietary fat that can be easily stored as body fat, and encourages more mindful cooking habits, helping people become aware of hidden calories in other ingredients.In essence, its not a drastic diet change or a major taste sacrifice, just a subtle change that gradually chips away at excess calorie intake.Health experts often say that such small, sustained adjustments, combined with better food choices and active lifestyles, could make a meaningful dent in India's growing obesity crisis, which is amplified by lifestyle shifts and the introduction of convenience ultra-processed foods.- EndsMust Watch