A Growing Concern Among Young Adults
When we think about obesity and its related health problems, we often picture middle-aged or older adults. But our research, published in the International Journal of Preventive and Public Health Sciences in 2016, tells a very different story. We studied college students in Kancheepuram and found that a striking 42.5% of them were already overweight or obese according to Indian body mass index guidelines. This is a worrying number, because excess weight at a young age significantly increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions later in life.
Physical Activity Patterns and Lifestyle Habits
As part of this study, we carefully recorded the physical activity patterns of the students. What we found was revealing — walking was the most common form of physical activity among them, and structured exercise or sports participation was relatively low. Many students led largely sedentary lifestyles, spending long hours sitting in classrooms and then at home with screens. These habits, combined with easy access to calorie-dense fast food and sugary drinks, create a perfect recipe for weight gain during the college years.
Why Early Screening and Intervention Matter
The findings of this study carry an important message for families and young adults alike. Health problems like high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol, and high blood pressure do not wait for old age — they can begin silently in your twenties. This is precisely why early screening is so valuable. At Arise Medical Centre, we encourage young adults to get regular health checkups, even when they feel perfectly fine. Catching risk factors early means we can guide patients toward simple lifestyle changes — better food choices, more movement, and stress management — before these issues become serious medical conditions. Prevention is always easier, cheaper, and more effective than treatment.
This article is based on a peer-reviewed research paper by Dr. K S Premlal and colleagues. View all publications (PDF)