Dibyasree Ganguly, Ncaer
Sedentary lifestyles and unpaid labor significantly contribute to obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The unequal burden of domestic responsibilities borne by Indian women is substantial, with their workforce participation remaining low. This article offers novel insight into the emerging epidemic of obesity in India. While evidence links obesity with higher socioeconomic status in India, no study has explored the intersection of women’s domesticity—defined as household confinement—and economic class in increasing the risk of abdominal obesity, a marker of NCDs. Using data from NFHS-5 (2019-2021), this study examines the relationship between employment status, wealth class, and the likelihood of unhealthy waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a more accurate measure of abdominal fat and NCD risk among women. Logistic regression results indicate that 1) women engaged only in housework over the past year are at higher risk of unhealthy WHR, and 2) middle-class women who are currently not working are particularly vulnerable, both in rural and urban areas. Prolonged sedentary lifestyles contribute to unhealthy WHR, raising the risk of NCDs, especially among middle-class. This study underscores the importance of an intersectional approach to better identify vulnerable groups for targeted health policies in India, where socioeconomic diversity is significant.
Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population and Development, Gender Dynamics