Lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for more than 61 per cent of all deaths in India. Whether it is heart diseases, respiratory illnesses, cancer, obesity or food allergies, emerging research reveals that the rise in their incidences is due to environmental factors-rapid urbanisation, air pollution and changes in diet-rather than your genes. These diseases result in huge economic losses. In 2015, this amounted to US$237 billion for India. Body Burden: Lifestyle Diseases, captures the finer points of what latest research and surveys have to offer and presents the views of subject specialists. More importantly, it details pathways that we need to adopt to reverse this trend, including what you as an individual can do to guard yourself against these diseases.