India's obesity and blood sugar crisis deepens as NCD deaths surge past 60%

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now responsible for over 60% of all deaths in India. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality in the country. Recent survey data highlights rising health risks, particularly in weight and blood sugar levels. Between the National Family Health Survey rounds NFHS-5 and NFHS-6, the share of overweight or obese adults grew significantly. Among men, the rate rose from 22.9% to 27.3%, while among women, it increased from 24.0% to 30.7%. Women showed both higher prevalence and a sharper rise compared to men.

The prevalence of overweight or obesity and elevated blood sugar climbed in almost every state for both genders. Some of the steepest increases occurred in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Gujarat. Southern states, especially Andhra Pradesh, reported the highest rates of overweight or obesity overall.

The proportion of adults with high or very high blood sugar levels, or those taking medication, also rose by about 5 percentage points for both men and women. In contrast, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure or medication use saw a slight decline during the same period.

Urban areas reported higher rates of overweight/obesity and elevated blood sugar than rural regions. However, rural areas also experienced notable increases. The gender gap was particularly wide in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal, where women had far higher rates than men. The Government of India continues to address these trends through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. The initiative aims to encourage healthier lifestyles and improve NCD management. Rising obesity and blood sugar levels signal growing public health challenges across the country.