Patiala, Feb. 14 -- More than half of Punjab's population (57.2%) suffers from abdominal obesity (potbelly), placing the state second in the country for this condition. This was stated in a data presented by the ministry of health and family welfare on Friday during the ongoing session of the Lok Sabha. Experts connect this condition to a higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and other non-communicable diseases.

Kerala tops the list with 58.2% prevalence, while Haryana ranks third at 56.9%. Punjab's abdominal obesity burden is significantly higher than the national average of 39.5%, underlining serious public health concerns in the state.

Abdominal obesity refers to the accumulation of excess fat around the bell...