India is witnessing a significant shift in its public health landscape, with government data revealing a sharp rise in obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure across both urban and rural populations. The findings from the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) highlight an emerging “dual burden” where undernutrition continues to exist alongside rapidly growing lifestyle-related diseases.
Obesity Rates Show Steep Increase Across India
The latest NFHS-6 data indicates that obesity levels have increased significantly in just a few years. Among women, the proportion of those classified as overweight or obese has risen from 24 per cent in 2019–21 to 30.7 per cent in 2023–24. For men, the numbers have also climbed from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent during the same period.
The data also reveals a sharp urban-rural divide. In urban areas, nearly 43 per cent of women are overweight or obese, compared to about 25 per cent in rural regions. A similar pattern is seen among men, where urban prevalence is significantly higher than in villages, reflecting differences in lifestyle, diet and physical activity levels.
Rising Diabetes and High Blood Sugar Levels
Alongside weight gain, blood sugar levels have also shown a worrying upward trend. The proportion of women with dangerously high blood sugar levels has nearly doubled, rising from 6.3 per cent in NFHS-5 to 9.1 per cent in NFHS-6. When including those receiving treatment, nearly 18 per cent of women are now affected.
Men show a similar pattern, with very high blood sugar levels increasing from 7.1 per cent to 10.9 per cent. When treated cases are included, more than one in five men are now living with abnormal blood sugar levels. Experts warn that these figures point towards a growing diabetes epidemic, increasingly affecting younger age groups as well.
Hypertension Remains a Persistent Health Burden
High blood pressure continues to be a major health concern, although reported prevalence shows slight variations depending on treatment status. Among women, hypertension figures have marginally declined when including those on medication, while men show a similar small decrease.
However, health experts caution that this does not necessarily indicate improvement. Instead, it may reflect better diagnosis and treatment coverage. Despite this, more than 20 per cent of Indian adults still live with hypertension, making it one of the country’s most widespread silent health risks.
Experts Warn of a Dual Burden of Disease
Medical experts describe the findings as a reflection of India’s ongoing epidemiological transition. While undernutrition remains a concern in certain regions, there is a simultaneous and rapid rise in obesity and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Specialists warn that increasing visceral fat, unhealthy dietary habits, reduced physical activity and sedentary lifestyles are key drivers of this trend. They also highlight that without urgent intervention, India could face a sharp rise in serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders and even dementia in the coming decades.
Lifestyle Changes Driving the Health Crisis
Experts point to major shifts in lifestyle as a central cause of this growing health burden. Increased dependence on motorised transport, reduced physical activity, and long working hours have contributed to a more sedentary population.
At the same time, changing food habits—including higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, packaged snacks, fried items and sugary beverages—are further worsening metabolic health. These dietary patterns, combined with stress and poor sleep, are accelerating the rise of non-communicable diseases across age groups.
The NFHS-6 data presents a clear warning sign for India’s public health system. While progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment, the overall burden of obesity, diabetes and hypertension continues to rise at an alarming rate. Experts stress that without strong preventive measures focusing on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, the country could face a long-term surge in chronic diseases affecting millions.