Delhi’s air quality plummeted on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring above 400 in multiple neighborhoods, reaching the ‘severe’ level. Areas such as Anand Vihar (433), Ashok Vihar (410), Rohini (411), and Vivek Vihar (426) reported critical AQI readings, while additional zones, including Dwarka, Patparganj, and Punjabi Bagh, also faced dangerous pollution levels, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Experts warn that exposure to high pollution levels poses a serious threat to public health, with evidence now linking poor air quality not only to respiratory and cardiac issues but also to obesity. Dr. Bobby Bhalotra, Vice Chairman of Respiratory Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, highlighted that rising PM10 and PM2.5 levels are associated with increased Body Mass Index (BMI), a key factor in weight gain and obesity.
Studies indicate that prolonged exposure to pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, triggers systemic inflammation and disrupts metabolism, leading to weight gain. Harmful particles like PM2.5 damage the lungs and may also alter metabolic processes, affecting weight and body composition.
As pollution intensifies, people avoid outdoor activities, reducing physical exercise. This sedentary indoor lifestyle is particularly problematic for children, who are now more inclined toward indoor screen activities than physical play, further contributing to weight gain. Vulnerable groups, including patients with hypertension and diabetes, face additional challenges, as they are often confined indoors, unable to engage in outdoor walking as part of their treatment plans.
Research from the journal BMC Public Health highlights how pollution-induced inflammation in fat tissue and increased oxidative stress disrupt glucose metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain. Dr. Vivek Bindal from Max Super Specialty Hospital noted that elevated PM levels correlate with increased BMI, particularly among adolescents, underscoring the urgent need for pollution control to safeguard public health.
