India sees steep jump in obesity, diabetes: NFHS-6 survey

Adult obesity and diabetes are rising rapidly in India, with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) highlighting a significant increase in overweight populations and high blood sugar levels over the past five years.

Released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 30, the NFHS-6 found that the share of overweight or obese adults aged 15-49 increased sharply between 2019-21 and 2023-24. The proportion of overweight or obese women rose by 6.7 percentage points, while the figure for men increased by 4.4 percentage points, underscoring the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases.

Conducted during 2023-24 by the Union Health Ministry, with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, serving as the nodal agency, the survey covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts in all states and Union Territories except Manipur. The report provides key insights into population, health, nutrition and family welfare trends across India.

According to the survey, 30.7% of women were overweight or obese in 2023-24, up from 24% in 2019-21. Urban women were significantly more affected, with 42.8% classified as overweight or obese, compared with 25.5% in rural areas.

A similar trend emerged among men. The proportion of overweight or obese men increased to 27.3% in 2023-24 from 22.9% in 2019-21. Urban areas recorded a substantially higher prevalence at 36.3%, while the figure stood at 23% in rural regions.

The survey also pointed to a steep rise in high blood sugar levels among adults aged 15 years and above. Among men, the proportion reporting high or very high blood sugar levels (above 140 mg/dl) or taking medication to control diabetes increased to 20.9% in 2023-24 from 15.6% in 2019-21.

Urban men reported a greater burden, with 23.9% either battling high blood sugar levels or taking medication, compared with 19.7% in rural areas.

Women also recorded a notable rise in diabetes-related indicators. The proportion of women reporting high or very high blood sugar levels or using medication to manage the condition increased to 17.8% in 2023-24 from 13.5% in 2019-21.

Among women, 21.9% in urban areas reported elevated blood sugar levels or diabetes medication use, compared with 16.2% in rural areas.

The survey further highlighted a continued rise in caesarean-section deliveries, particularly in private healthcare facilities. The share of births delivered through caesarean section in private hospitals increased to 54.1% in 2023-24 from 47.4% in 2019-21. In public healthcare facilities, the proportion rose from 14.3% to 16.9% during the same period.

Amid these concerning health trends, the survey recorded progress in child nutrition. The proportion of stunted children under the age of five declined to 29.3% in 2023-24, down from 35.5% in 2019-21, indicating improvement in one of India's key child health indicators.