India's obesity and blood sugar crisis worsens, NFHS-6 data reveals

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reveals a rising trend in overweight, obesity, and elevated blood sugar levels across India. Both men and women show significant increases in these health markers compared to the previous survey. The data highlights growing concerns about non-communicable diseases in the country. Between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6, the share of adults classified as overweight or obese rose sharply. For men, the rate climbed from 22.9% to 27.3%, while for women, it increased from 24.0% to 30.7%. Women consistently showed higher rates than men, with the gap most noticeable in Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal.

Southern states, particularly Andhra Pradesh, reported the highest prevalence. Nearly half of all women and over two-fifths of men in Andhra Pradesh were classified as overweight or obese. Urban areas had a higher prevalence of these conditions, but rural regions also saw notable rises.

The proportion of adults with elevated blood sugar levels (>140 mg/dl) or on medication increased by roughly 5 percentage points for both genders. By NFHS-6, 20.9% of men and 17.8% of women met the criteria. Meanwhile, the prevalence of high blood pressure or medication use saw a slight decline.

The sharpest increases in overweight, obesity, and elevated blood sugar were observed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Gujarat. These findings align with broader health trends, as non-communicable diseases now account for over 60% of all deaths in India, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for about 27% of mortality. The government has been running the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases to address these issues. The initiative promotes healthier lifestyles, early screening, and timely management of conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The survey results underline the need for continued efforts to tackle rising health risks across the country.