A recent report, Building on success to secure India’s future health, reveals that roughly 24% of women and 23% of men in India are now classified as overweight or obese.
This marks a steep rise compared with three decades ago — and the trend is now widespread across both urban and rural regions.
The growing rates of obesity are fuelling a sharp increase in chronic health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and other non-communicable diseases, placing significant strain on both public health and the economy.
Experts are cautioning that without strong preventive measures — including better diet, regular exercise, early screening and increased awareness — the burden of obesity-related illnesses could rise even more rapidly.
The findings highlight the urgency for nationwide efforts toward healthier lifestyles and more robust public health interventions.