PM Modi's tip to combat obesity: How much edible oil you should really be using for good health, here's what experts say

While physical inactivity, junk food, and other factors have garnered significant attention for their role in causing lifestyle disorders, edible oil has largely escaped scrutiny. However, during his address at the 38th National Games opening ceremony, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the excessive use of oil as a key factor in the rise of obesity and urged people to reduce oil intake in households.

Excess consumption of cooking oil, he stated, is a major contributor to the increasing cases of obesity. "Every age group of the country, and even the youth, are being badly affected by it. And this is also a matter of concern because obesity increases the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease," PM Modi said.



He appealed to the public to reduce oil intake, along with incorporating daily exercise and focusing on a balanced and nutritious diet.

“In our homes, ration comes at the beginning of the month. Till now, if you used to bring home two litres of cooking oil every month, then reduce it by at least 10%. Reduce the amount of oil we use every day by 10%,” Modi said.

He is not alone in sounding the alarm. As per a TOI report, Dr Vineet Kumar Surana, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Manipal Hospital-Dwarka, explained that excess oil in cooking can add hidden calories without providing fullness, leading to weight gain and obesity. “One should not consume more than 600-700 ml per month, which translates to approximately 20 ml/day (roughly four teaspoons),” he advised.

Dr Anoop Misra, chairperson of Fortis C-Doc, told TOI, “Normally, people tend to consume double the recommended amount of oil or more.” He also warned against reusing oil, calling it dangerous. "Re-using oil for frying food items leads to an increase in trans-fats that are known to increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, among others," he said.

Apart from quantity, the quality of oil is equally important. The ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) suggests that while mustard oil and groundnut oil are excellent for cooking, it is best to use a combination of oils, either blended or rotated. For example, groundnut oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, and rice bran oil provide the benefits of each.

The Prime Minister's call, according to TOI sources, suggests that the government is considering launching dedicated programmes to address and prevent a potential health crisis linked to excessive oil consumption.

The Economic Survey 2023-24 also warned that unhealthy food and sedentary habits not only increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, but also threaten the country’s economic potential.

“For India’s working-age population to be gainfully employed, they need skills and good health. Social media, screen time, sedentary habits, and unhealthy food are a lethal mix that can undermine public health and productivity and diminish India’s economic potential,” the survey report stated. It also noted that the private sector has contributed significantly to this toxic mix of habits, which it deemed myopic.

The report recommended that Indian businesses embrace traditional lifestyles, food, and recipes, which have demonstrated how to live healthily and in harmony with nature for centuries. It further stressed that it would make commercial sense for businesses to learn about and adopt these practices, as there is a global market ready to embrace them.

Inputs from TOI