India's Obesity Crisis: System Design, Not Willpower, is the Real Culprit

• India's Economic Survey highlights the rapid rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their link to increasing obesity and non-communicable diseases.
• The article argues that widespread obesity is a systemic issue, not a failure of individual willpower, driven by an industrial food environment engineered for convenience and profit.
• Factors like aggressive marketing, affordability, accessibility of UPFs, and challenges in procuring fresh produce contribute to unhealthy food choices.
• Urban design, long commutes, and time scarcity push individuals towards convenient, often unhealthy, packaged foods.
• The solution requires architectural changes to the food system, using tools like agent-based modeling and policy interventions, rather than blaming individuals or relying on wellness campaigns.