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Rachel V Thomas

NFHS-6: Why Is India Seeing A Surge In Obesity, Hypertension And Diabetes?

The recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) indicates a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">hypertension</a>, and high blood sugar levels in the country.

According to the NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, there has been a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and lifestyle risks in India, marking a shift from infectious diseases to chronic conditions. 

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Parmeet Kaur, former Chief Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, AIIMS, New Delhi, said rapid urbanisation, changing food habits and declining physical activity levels are contributing to the growing burden of NCDs.

She noted that factors such as the globalization of food habits, unhealthy snacking, increased consumption of processed foods, excess salt and sugar intake, stress, poor sleep and an ageing population are all playing a role in the rise of these conditions.

"The rise in non-communicable diseases is driven not just by excess calories, but by changing food systems and lifestyles," Dr. Kaur said. 

She stressed the importance of promoting traditional balanced diets, healthy snacks, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, adequate sleep and greater reliance on home-cooked meals. 

<h2>NCD Burden Rising In Younger Age Groups </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/mann-ki-baat-pm-modi-addresses-the-heatwave-suggests-suitable-drinks-article-154436075" data-type="tilCustomLink">Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Addresses The Heatwave, Suggests Aam Panna, Sattu Sherbet</a>

Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said the latest NFHS-6 findings point to a growing burden of metabolic risk factors across the country, including among younger age groups. 

"In many cases, these conditions develop silently and remain undiagnosed for years," Dr. Gupta said. 

He emphasized that tackling the problem requires shifting the focus beyond weight management alone to overall metabolic health. 

To prevent these conditions and identify risks at an early stage, Dr. Gupta told HealthandMe that the following measures are important:

<ul><li>Regular physical activity </li></ul><ul><li>Healthy eating habits </li></ul><ul><li>Adequate sleep </li></ul><ul><li>Stress management </li></ul><ul><li>Routine health screenings </li></ul>

Dr. Kaur also called for strengthening nutrition education, increasing awareness about food labels and encouraging early screening for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a> and hypertension.

"Re-emphasizing traditional and regional healthy eating patterns alongside active living will be crucial for India's future health," she added. 

The NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, covered more than 7.1 lakh women and over one lakh men across the country.

<ul><li>Obesity among women increased from 24 per cent (2019–21) to 30.7 per cent (2023–24). Urban women recorded a higher prevalence (42.8 per cent) than rural women (25.5 per cent). </li><li>Obesity among men rose from 22.9per cent to 27.3per cent during the same period. Urban men (36.3per cent) were more affected than rural men (23 per cent). </li></ul>Diabetes

<ul><li>High blood sugar prevalence among men aged 15 years and above increased from 15.6 per cent to 20.9 per cent. </li><li>Urban women (21.9per cent) reported higher prevalence than rural women (16.2per cent); with total prevalence among women increasing from 13.5 per cent to 17.8 per cent. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Among women, high blood pressure prevalence stood at 23.5 per cent in urban areas and 17.8 per cent in rural areas. </li><li>Among men, the prevalence was 26.2 per cent in urban areas and 20.4 per cent in rural areas. </li></ul>

"The emerging challenges such as rising non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related risks and the dual burden of undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity among adults highlight the need for continued focus on preventive healthcare, behavioral change and balanced nutrition strategies," the Health Ministry said. 

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The recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) indicates a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and high blood sugar levels in the country. According to the NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, there has been a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and lifestyle risks in India, marking a shift from infectious diseases to chronic conditions. Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Parmeet Kaur, former Chief Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, AIIMS, New Delhi, said rapid urbanisation, changing food habits and declining physical activity levels are contributing to the growing burden of NCDs. She noted that factors such as the globalization of food habits, unhealthy snacking, increased consumption of processed foods, excess salt and sugar intake, stress, poor sleep and an ageing population are all playing a role in the rise of these conditions. "The rise in non-communicable diseases is driven not just by excess calories, but by changing food systems and lifestyles," Dr. Kaur said. She stressed the importance of promoting traditional balanced diets, healthy snacks, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, adequate sleep and greater reliance on home-cooked meals. NCD Burden Rising In Younger Age Groups Also read: Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi Addresses The Heatwave, Suggests Aam Panna, Sattu SherbetDr. Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said the latest NFHS-6 findings point to a growing burden of metabolic risk factors across the country, including among younger age groups. "In many cases, these conditions develop silently and remain undiagnosed for years," Dr. Gupta said. He emphasized that tackling the problem requires shifting the focus beyond weight management alone to overall metabolic health. How To Prevent To prevent these conditions and identify risks at an early stage, Dr. Gupta told HealthandMe that the following measures are important: Regular physical activity Healthy eating habits Adequate sleep Stress management Routine health screenings Dr. Kaur also called for strengthening nutrition education, increasing awareness about food labels and encouraging early screening for diabetes and hypertension. "Re-emphasizing traditional and regional healthy eating patterns alongside active living will be crucial for India's future health," she added. What Did NFHS-6 Say On NCDs? The NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, covered more than 7.1 lakh women and over one lakh men across the country.Obesity Obesity among women increased from 24 per cent (2019–21) to 30.7 per cent (2023–24). Urban women recorded a higher prevalence (42.8 per cent) than rural women (25.5 per cent). Obesity among men rose from 22.9per cent to 27.3per cent during the same period. Urban men (36.3per cent) were more affected than rural men (23 per cent). Diabetes High blood sugar prevalence among men aged 15 years and above increased from 15.6 per cent to 20.9 per cent.  Urban women (21.9per cent) reported higher prevalence than rural women (16.2per cent);  with total prevalence among women increasing from 13.5 per cent to 17.8 per cent. High Blood Pressure Among women, high blood pressure prevalence stood at 23.5 per cent in urban areas and 17.8 per cent in rural areas. Among men, the prevalence was 26.2 per cent in urban areas and 20.4 per cent in rural areas. "The emerging challenges such as rising non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related risks and the dual burden of undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity among adults highlight the need for continued focus on preventive healthcare, behavioral change and balanced nutrition strategies," the Health Ministry said. 

nfhs-6: why is india seeing a surge in obesity, hypertension and diabetes?

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NFHS-6: Why Is India Seeing A Surge In Obesity, Hypertension And Diabetes?

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NFHS-6: Why Is India Seeing A Surge In Obesity, Hypertension And Diabetes?

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