Neeraj Chopra, the double Olympic medalist, experienced obesity at a young age and now stands at the forefront of dealing against it.
It comes after Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, strongly expressed the need to fight obesity in the nation.
The Khandra native was once an overweight child, standing far from the athletic demeanor that he possesses today. As a child, he was often teased by people who deemed the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist unfit for sports.
“Obesity is not just about physical appearance, it’s about health and well-being,” he writes in a Hindustan Times column.
“Today, India faces an alarming rise in obesity across all age groups. Childhood obesity is becoming a serious concern with more and more young people falling into sedentary lifestyles dominated by fast food, excessive screen time, and a lack of physical activity.
“This not only affects their physical health but also their mental well-being, leading to lower self-esteem increasing the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart conditions,” he further writes.
The challenge is not limited to the common man.
“For athletes, obesity is an even bigger challenge. Carrying excess weight affects mobility, endurance and performance,” he writes.
“It slows down reaction time, puts stress on joints and reduces stamina — factors that can make the difference between victory and defeat. However, the good news is that sports and physical activity provide the most effective way to tackle this issue head-on.
“Exercise burns excess calories, boosts metabolism, improves muscle-to-fat ratio and regulates appetite. For young athletes and fitness enthusiasts, sports bring discipline, endurance and mental strength. They help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, which are often linked to emotional eating and unhealthy weight gain,” Chopra adds after plenty of learning through his journey.
Leave a Reply