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India is witnessing a worrying surge in obesity and elevated blood sugar levels among adults, according to findings from the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), indicating a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases across the country.

The survey, conducted during 2023-24, reveals that nearly one in three women and more than one in four men aged 15-49 years are now overweight or obese. Health experts warn that the trend could fuel a sharp increase in diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other non-communicable diseases in the coming years.

According to the survey, the proportion of overweight or obese women aged 15-49 years rose from 24 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 30.7 percent in NFHS-6. Among men in the same age group, the figure increased from 22.9 percent to 27.3 percent. The findings point to a rapid shift in India's public health landscape, where concerns about undernutrition increasingly coexist with rising rates of obesity and metabolic disorders.

The survey also recorded a significant increase in elevated blood sugar levels. Among women aged 15 years and above, the share of those reporting high or very high blood sugar levels—or taking medication to control blood sugar—rose from 13.5 percent to 17.8 percent. Among men, the corresponding figure climbed from 15.6 percent to 20.9 percent.

Regional disparities were evident across the country. Among women aged 15-49 years, the highest prevalence of overweight or obesity was reported in Puducherry, followed by Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Among men, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded the highest prevalence, with Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Goa also reporting obesity rates exceeding one-third of the adult male population.

Public health specialists say the findings reflect the consequences of changing lifestyles, increasing urbanization, reduced physical activity, and greater consumption of calorie-dense processed foods. While India has made substantial progress in reducing child malnutrition and improving maternal health indicators, the country is now confronting a new challenge: managing diseases linked to excess weight and poor metabolic health.

The growing prevalence of obesity is closely linked to the rise in diabetes. Research has consistently shown that excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies indicate that a significant proportion of Indian adults are already at high risk of developing diabetes, with obesity emerging as one of the strongest predictors.

Health experts are particularly concerned about what some describe as India's "hidden obesity" problem. Many Indians may appear lean but carry excess visceral fat and have low muscle mass, increasing their risk of metabolic disorders despite having a normal body mass index (BMI). This phenomenon has prompted calls for more comprehensive health assessments beyond traditional BMI measurements.

In response to the findings, the Union Health Ministry has emphasized the need for preventive healthcare, behavioural change initiatives, and balanced nutrition strategies. Officials have highlighted the dual challenge facing India: continuing efforts to combat undernutrition while addressing the rapid rise in overweight, obesity, and lifestyle-related diseases.

The NFHS-6 survey covered more than 7.1 lakh women and over one lakh men across India, making it one of the country's most comprehensive health assessments. The data serve as a reminder that India's health priorities are evolving, with chronic non-communicable diseases increasingly shaping the nation's healthcare agenda.

As obesity and diabetes rates continue to climb, experts argue that early intervention, healthier diets, regular physical activity, and routine screening will be critical to preventing a larger public health crisis in the years ahead.

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