NFHS-6: Obesity & Diabetes Rising in India

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• The recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) highlights a sharp rise in obesity and diabetes across India, signalling a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

About NFHS-6

• The NFHS-6, conducted in 2023-24 by the Union Health Ministry with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency, covered around 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts in all States and UTs, except Manipur. 
• It provides “vital evidence” on population, health, nutrition and family welfare indicators.

Key Findings

• Rising Obesity:
  • Obesity among women increased from 24% (2019-21) to 30.7% (2023-24). Urban women recorded a higher prevalence (42.8%) than rural women (25.5%). 
  • Obesity among men rose from 22.9% to 27.3% during the same period. Urban men (36.3%) were more affected than rural men (23%).
• Rising Diabetes
  • High blood sugar prevalence among men (15+ years) increased from 15.6% to 20.9%. The urban-rural figures stood at 23.9% and 19.7%, respectively.
  • High blood sugar prevalence among women (15+ years) increased from 13.5% to 17.8%. Urban women (21.9%) reported higher prevalence than rural women (16.2%).

What is Obesity?

• According to the World Health Organization, obesity is the abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat that presents a risk to health.
• Traditionally measured using Body Mass Index (BMI).

What is Diabetes? 

• Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
• It results in elevated blood glucose levels.
• Major types:
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Gestational Diabetes

Why is the Rise in Obesity and Diabetes a Concern?

• India already has over 10 crore people living with diabetes, according to the ICMR-INDIAB study.
• Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, and certain cancers.
• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) increase healthcare expenditure and reduce workforce productivity.
• Childhood and adolescent obesity can lead to lifelong health complications and a higher risk of adult NCDs. 
• The growing burden of obesity and diabetes threatens India’s demographic dividend by affecting the health and productivity of the working-age population. 

Government Initiatives

• National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD): Promote health through behavior change via community, civil society, media, and partner engagement.
  • Focus Areas: Screening, early diagnosis, management, referral, and follow-up at all healthcare levels for continuous care.
• Specialized Ayurvedic Care: The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) offers specialized treatments for obesity and related lifestyle disorders.
• Ayurswasthya Yojana: The Central Sector Scheme is aimed at promoting AYUSH interventions in community healthcare.
  • It supports projects focused on managing lifestyle disorders and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• POSHAN Abhiyaan : Preventing Childhood Obesity: Launched in 2018, aiming to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers by fostering a convergent ecosystem that enhances nutrition content, delivery, and awareness to combat malnutrition and promote overall wellness.
• Fit India Movement: A Mass Fitness Revolution: Launched in 2019, it promotes active lifestyles and encourages individuals to incorporate fitness into daily routines.
  • Fit India School Certification for schools incorporating physical activity in their curriculum.
  • Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative promoting cycling and walking in urban spaces.
• Eat Right India Movement (FSSAI): It encompasses several key initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, healthy, and sustainable food for all.
• Regulating High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) Foods: FSSAI, in collaboration with the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), has recommended mandatory labeling of High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) foods.

Challenges

• Sedentary lifestyles: Increasing screen time, desk jobs, and reduced physical activity contribute to obesity.
• Unhealthy dietary habits: Rising consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.
• Late diagnosis: A large number of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed until complications emerge.
• Urban-rural health gap: Urban areas show higher prevalence, but rural healthcare systems are often less equipped to manage NCDs.
• Economic burden: Long-term treatment of obesity-related diseases increases healthcare costs for families and the government.

Way forward

• Promote preventive healthcare through awareness campaigns on healthy diets, exercise, and regular health check-ups.
• Strengthen screening and early diagnosis under primary healthcare and Ayushman Bharat initiatives.
• Encourage healthier food choices through better food labelling and regulation of High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) foods.
• Develop active urban infrastructure such as walking tracks, cycling lanes, and public recreational spaces.
• Adopt a whole-of-government approach integrating health, education, urban planning, food regulation, and nutrition policies to tackle NCDs.

Source: IE