PIB Summaries 03 March 2025

Content:

1. Towards a Fit and Healthy India
2. EXERCISE DESERT HUNT 2025

Towards a Fit and Healthy India

What is Obesity?

• WHO defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents health risks.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Standard metric for classification.
  • Global Standards: BMI ≥ 25 (overweight), BMI ≥ 30 (obese).
  • India-Specific Standards: BMI 23.0 – 24.9 kg/m² (overweight), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (obese).
  • Morbid Obesity: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m².

Relevance : GS 2(Health)

Causes of Obesity in India

• Dietary Transition: Shift from traditional, home-cooked food to high-calorie processed foods.
• Sedentary Lifestyles: Increased screen time, reduced physical activity.
• Urbanization Impact: High availability of fast food, sugary beverages.
• Socio-Economic Factors:
  • Rising middle-class income leads to more consumption of unhealthy foods.
  • Inadequate awareness of healthy dietary habits.
• Cultural Norms: Perception of chubbiness as a sign of prosperity in some regions.

Global and Indian Obesity Trends

Global Obesity Statistics

• Children (5–19 years): Obesity increased from 2% (1990) to 8% (2022).
• Adults (18+ years): Obesity more than doubled from 7% to 16% in the same period.

India’s Obesity Statistics (NFHS-5, 2019-21)

• 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese.
• 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men in the 15-49 age group are obese.
• Children under 5 years who are overweight increased from 2.1% (2015-16) to 3.4% (2019-21).

Key Factors Driving Obesity in India

1. Unhealthy Dietary Patterns:
   1. Increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbs.
   1. High edible oil intake, leading to excess calorie consumption.

• Declining Physical Activity:
  • Urbanization reducing walkability, cycling, and encouraging sedentary work cultures.
  • Increased screen time from digital entertainment.

• Socioeconomic Disparities:
  • Higher-income groups tend to consume calorie-dense foods.
  • Lower-income groups have limited access to nutritious food, leading to malnutrition and obesity coexisting.

• Marketing and Food Industry Influence:
  • Aggressive junk food advertising, particularly targeting children.
  • Easy availability of high-calorie foods with minimal regulatory oversight.

• Genetic and Environmental Factors:
  • Genetic predisposition to metabolic disorders.
  • Air pollution, hormonal imbalances, and stress impact weight gain.

Government of India’s Strategic Framework for Obesity Prevention

A multi-sectoral approach is being adopted, integrating health, nutrition, sports, and policy regulations.

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)

 NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases)

• Objective: Early detection & management of lifestyle diseases linked to obesity.
• Key Actions:
  • 682 District NCD Clinics, 191 Cardiac Care Units, 5,408 CHC NCD Clinics.
  • Integrated screening via Ayushman Bharat HWCs.
  • Community programs promoting healthy eating & physical activity.

2. Ministry of AYUSH: Traditional Medicine Integration

 Ayurveda for Weight Management – Specialized treatment at AIIA.
 Scientific Validation – CCRAS research on Dinacharya, Ritucharya, and Yoga.
 Ayurswasthya Yojana – AYUSH-based public health interventions.
 CSIR Collaboration – Research merging Ayurveda with modern science.

3. Ministry of Women & Child Development

 POSHAN Abhiyaan & Poshan 2.0

• Objective: Combat malnutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies.
• Key Strategies:
  • Nutri-Gardens: Homegrown vegetables for better nutrition.
  • School Nutrition: Millets, fortified foods in mid-day meals.
  • Jan Andolan: Large-scale healthy eating awareness campaigns.

4. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

 Fit India Movement (2019) – Nationwide push for active lifestyles.

• Fit India School Certification – Daily physical activity in schools.
• Fit India Sundays – Cycling & walking culture promotion.
   Khelo India Programme (2016-17) – Sports-driven youth engagement.
• Financial aid for young athletes.
• Sports infrastructure development in schools & rural areas.

5. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

 Key Regulatory Measures

• Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) – Warnings on high-fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) foods.
• Trans Fat Ban (2022) – Elimination of industrial trans fats.
• Eat Right India Campaign – Public awareness on healthy food choices.

Policy Innovations and Measurable Outcomes

• Whole-of-Government & Whole-of-Society Approach:
  • Coordinated action among health, education, agriculture, and urban planning sectors.

• Regulatory Framework Enhancements:
  • Taxation on sugary beverages, marketing restrictions on junk food for children.

• Community-Based Interventions:
  • Public-private partnerships to implement large-scale behavior change programs.

• Technological Innovations:
  • Digital health tracking for obesity and NCD management.

Challenges in Tackling Obesity

1. Low Awareness: Many individuals underestimate obesity risks.
2. Affordability of Healthy Foods: High cost of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
3. Food Industry Resistance: Pushback against HFSS food regulations.
4. Sustainability of Lifestyle Changes: Ensuring long-term adherence to health guidelines.

Way Forward:

• Expanding Public Awareness Campaigns: Community-driven initiatives like “Reduce Edible Oil Consumption”.
• Enhancing School-Based Nutrition Programs: Promoting millets and fortified foods.
• Strengthening Urban Planning: Designing walkable, bike-friendly cities.
• Integrating Traditional Knowledge: Expanding Ayurvedic, Yoga-based wellness approaches.
• Leveraging Technology: AI-driven personalized nutrition and fitness plans.

EXERCISE DESERT HUNT 2025

Overview of the Exercise

• Name: Exercise Desert Hunt 2025
• Conducted by: Indian Air Force
• Location: Air Force Station Jodhpur
• Duration: 24–28 February 2025
• Participants:
  • Para (Special Forces) – Indian Army
  • Marine Commandos (MARCOS) – Indian Navy
  • Garud (Special Forces) – Indian Air Force

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security,Defense)

Key Objectives

• Interoperability: Enhance joint operational effectiveness among the three Special Forces units.
• Synergy & Coordination: Ensure seamless integration in high-risk combat environments.
• Operational Readiness: Test real-time responsiveness to security challenges.
• Joint Doctrine Validation: Standardize procedures for integrated special operations.

Major Drills & Simulated Scenarios

• Airborne Insertion – Rapid deployment via parachuting and helicopter insertion.
• Precision Strikes – Targeted offensive operations against simulated enemy threats.
• Hostage Rescue – Special Forces intervention in hostage situations.
• Counter-Terrorism Ops – Neutralizing threats in urban and high-risk areas.
• Combat Free Falls – High-altitude, low-opening (HALO) and high-altitude, high-opening (HAHO) jumps.
• Urban Warfare – Close-quarter battle (CQB) scenarios to simulate real-world threats.

Strategic Significance

• Enhanced Combat Effectiveness: Ensuring swift, decisive action in real-world operations.
• National Security Strengthening: Preparing for asymmetric warfare and internal threats.
• Jointness in Military Operations: Implementing the integrated warfare concept.
• Future Readiness: Preparing Special Forces for evolving modern warfare challenges.

Role of Senior Officials & Policy Implications

• Supervision by Military Leadership: Ensuring adherence to operational doctrines.
• Validation of Joint Doctrines: Reinforcing integrated planning and execution strategies.
• Capability Demonstration: Showcasing India’s rapid deployment and Special Forces prowess.

Conclusion

Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 reaffirmed the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to joint special operations and seamless inter-service cooperation, ensuring a robust national security framework against evolving threats.