Coimbatore, Oct. 25 Hundreds of enthusiasts participated in a walkathon in Coimbatore in a bid to increase the awareness level about obesity and its ill effects.

Wearing white t-shirts and orange caps, men and women walked through the busy streets of the city to urge people to fight obesity and lead a healthy life.

"Today, India is on of the ten countries, which have highest number of obese people. But in future it is going to be worse. That's why this walkathon is going to make a good impact on the common public," said Dr. Palanivelu, a medical practitioner and organiser of the Obesity Awareness Walk.

Cases of obesity are on rise in India, especially in the metro cities.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300 million people are facing obesity across the world.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the proportion of obesity is increasing at 33-51 percent in Indian cities.

Around 27 percent of urban population is overweight in comparison to 11 percent people in the rural areas.

More women than men are overweight. According to NFHS, 24 percent of women are overweight. (ANI)