NFHS-6 flags sharp rise in obesity and high blood sugar across India

The latest family health survey shows overweight and obesity rising among both women and men, while high blood sugar indicators have also climbed since 2019-21.

By NewsLive24 Desk 30 May 2026 2 min read

Healthcare professional monitoring blood pressure

Health screening image selected for the NFHS obesity and diabetes story. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

India's latest National Family Health Survey has delivered a serious warning on lifestyle-linked health risks., conducted in 2023-24, shows that overweight, obesity and high blood sugar have risen sharply since the previous 2019-21 survey cycle.

Among women aged 15 to 49, the share classified as overweight or obese increased from 24 percent to 30.7 percent. Among men in the same age group, the proportion rose from 22.9 percent to 27.3 percent. The urban-rural gap is also clear: 42.8 percent of urban women were overweight or obese compared with 25.5 percent of rural women, while the figure for urban men was 36.3 percent compared with 23 percent in rural areas.

The survey also shows an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or medication use to control it, among those aged 15 and above. For men, the proportion rose from 15.6 percent in 2019-21 to 20.9 percent in 2023-24. For women, it increased from 13.5 percent to 17.8 percent. The trend suggests that India's non-communicable disease challenge is moving deeper into everyday public health.

These findings matter because obesity and high blood sugar are closely linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other chronic conditions. They can reduce quality of life and increase the long-term cost of treatment for households and public health systems.

The survey does not show only one side of India's health picture. It also recorded improvement in child stunting, which declined from 35.5 percent in 2019-21 to 29.3 percent in 2023-24. That means India is now dealing with a dual burden: undernutrition among children is improving but remains important, while adult obesity and metabolic risk are rising fast.

The policy response will need to combine preventive healthcare, better food labelling, school and workplace nutrition awareness, active public spaces and early screening. For families, the report is a reminder that routine health checks, balanced diets and physical activity are no longer optional lifestyle advice. They are central to long-term health security.