Discover how colonization is responsible for India's obesity and diabetic problems, uncovering the historical roots of the nation’s health crisis and examining the lasting impacts of British rule on dietary habits and lifestyle choices.
Find out
how the British colonization of India contributed to the obesity and diabetes
epidemic there. Examine the historical causes, which include the 12 great
famines, the deaths of 100 million people, and how these tragedies paved the
way for the current health concerns.
The term "colonization" conjures up ideas of oppression,
exploitation, and cultural destruction. In addition to being a time of
political oppression, India experienced severe and protracted physical
suffering throughout the British colonial era, which has had a lasting impact
on the country's health. Yes, it is simple to attribute India's rapidly rising
rates of diabetes and obesity on modern lifestyle choices. However, what if I
told you that the British Empire sowed the seeds of these health issues
centuries ago?
This
piece will contend that colonization—a sneaky residue of past pain—is to blame
for India's obesity and diabetes epidemic, which is exacerbated by genetic
predispositions to hunger and malnourishment.
The Dark Shadow of British
Colonialism
1. 100 Million Lives Lost: The Unseen Tragedy
India had
one of the worst periods in its history from 1880 to 1920. Approximately 100
million Indians died as a result of illness, starvation, and other colonial
policies during British control. This horrifying death toll was a direct result
of intentional exploitation rather than just a result of natural disasters. In
order to fund their empire, British officials gave priority to exporting food
and resources, starving millions of Indians in the process. Twelve significant
famines were documented throughout the British era, so these famines weren't
isolated occurrences but rather were a part of a larger pattern of neglect and
poor management. The scars of these tragedies run deep, affecting not just
those who lived through them but also the generations that followed.
2. The Famine-Obesity Connection:
A Deadly Inheritance
Studies
have indicated that enduring a single famine can increase the likelihood of
obesity and diabetes in subsequent generations by twice. This phenomena stems
from how the body reacts to famine naturally. The human body adjusts to extreme
food scarcity by accumulating fat more effectively; however, this adaptation
becomes harmful during periods of plenty. The Indian population, who suffered
from numerous famines during the British colonial era, has inherited these
adaptations through the centuries. These frugal genes, which were once
necessary for life, are now contributing to India's rising obesity and diabetes
epidemic as the nation enters an era of abundance.
The Colonial Legacy: How History
Shapes Today’s Health Crisis
1. The Thrifty Gene Hypothesis: A Double-Edged Sword
The
"thrifty gene" theory provides a convincing rationale for why some
groups are more likely to develop diabetes and obesity than others, especially
those with a history of starvation. People who carry genes that encourage fat accumulation
were more likely to survive times of shortage. These same genes, however,
become a liability in today's world of easy availability to high-calorie foods,
resulting in rapid weight gain and insulin resistance.
Due to the vast number of famines that India experienced while under British
control, the influence of these frugal genes is amplified. Once a life-saving
adaptation, the body's innate propensity to store calories is now the driving
force behind the obesity and diabetes epidemics. This isn’t just a genetic
issue; it’s a direct consequence of historical trauma, a legacy of colonization
that continues to wreak havoc on the health of millions.
2. The Changing Dietary
Landscape: From Starvation to Excess
The sharp
change in food habits is another element fueling India's obesity and diabetes
epidemic. The typical Indian diet during the colonial era was meager and
repetitive, and access to wholesome food was restricted. But when the economy
expanded and food access increased after independence, there was a noticeable
trend toward processed, high-calorie foods. The combination of inherent
predispositions towards fat accumulation and this unexpected abundance has
produced an ideal environment for the development of obesity and diabetes.
Furthermore,
Western-style fast food and sugary drinks are gradually taking the place of
traditional Indian diets, which are high in nutritious grains, veggies, and
legumes. The populace is ill-prepared to deal with the health effects of the
abrupt and abrupt shift from a diet of abundance to one of scarcity.
Colonization’s Hidden Legacy:
Beyond the Obvious
1. Socioeconomic Inequality: The
Root of Health Disparities
Not only
did colonization leave behind food and genetic legacies, but it also solidified
long-standing socioeconomic disparities that still have an impact on health
outcomes in India. The great majority of Indians lived in extreme poverty
during British rule, while wealth and resources were concentrated in the hands
of a small number of people. Obesity and diabetes disproportionately impact
vulnerable communities, and this economic difference has remained.
Communities with limited access to healthcare, education, and wholesome food
are at a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses. These communities find it
challenging to overcome the burden of obesity and diabetes due to the vicious
cycle of poverty and poor health generated by the colonial legacy of injustice.
2. The Psychological Impact: Trauma
Passed Down
The psychological impact of colonization cannot
be overlooked. The trauma of famine, starvation, and loss experienced during
British rule has been passed
down through generations.
Not only
does colonization cause physical pain, but it also causes psychological trauma.
The magnitude of the suffering—100 million deaths, recurrent famines, institutionalized
oppression—left lasting psychological damage. These traumas are inherited from
previous generations and impact mental as well as physical health. Indian
society's collective memory is ingrained with the fear of starving and the
experience of deprivation, which shapes eating habits and other food-related
behaviors.
Many families, especially those that made it through the famines, formed a
psychological bond with food based on scarcity and terror. Overeating and food
hoarding are two behaviors that result from this link and fuel the obesity
epidemic. Due to the psychological effects of colonialism, people now associate
food with survival, which might make it difficult to break bad eating habits.
Breaking the Chains: Addressing
the Legacy of Colonization
1. Education and Awareness: The
First Steps
Understanding
the historical causes of the obesity and diabetes crises in India is essential
to finding solutions. People can learn more about the relationship between
colonization, famine, and contemporary health issues by participating in
education and awareness efforts. Individuals and communities can start
addressing the psychological and behavioral patterns that contribute to these
situations by acknowledging the impact of historical trauma.
Campaigns for public health should also emphasize the promotion of traditional
Indian foods, which are nutrient-dense and organically balanced. The
detrimental impacts of the Western-style eating habits that have gained
popularity recently can be mitigated by promoting a return to these diets.
2. Policy Interventions: A
Holistic Approach
Policies
from the government must also address the socioeconomic determinants of health
inequities. This involves making certain that all groups, especially those who
have been historically marginalized, have access to cheap, wholesome food.
Policies that support access to healthcare, education, and food security can
aid in ending the cycle of poverty and ill health.
Support for mental health should also receive special attention, especially for
communities impacted by past trauma. For society to be healthier, the
psychological effects of colonialism must be addressed.
India's
obesity and diabetes epidemic is a complicated problem with roots in the
nation's colonial past rather than just being a product of contemporary
lifestyle choices. The obesity and diabetes epidemic in India is a direct
result of British colonization, and millions of people's health are still
impacted by the systemic oppression, hunger, and starvation that followed.
India can start releasing itself from the shackles of its colonial past and
building a better future for everybody by acknowledging and tackling these
historical factors.
Recognizing the past, teaching the present, and enabling the next generation to
make better decisions are the steps toward healing. India can only hope to
overcome these health crises and guarantee a better, healthier future for its
people by addressing their underlying causes.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425424/
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/12/2/how-british-colonial-policy-killed-100-million-indians
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ancient-famine-fighting-genes-cant-explain-obesity
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6894446/
Image Sources
https://histclo.com/eco/agr/fam/cou/asia/fam-india.html