Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Indian Households Reaches Alarming Levels

Strategic Insights -

A study conducted by researchers from ICMRNational Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), TERI School of Advanced Studies and Symbiosis International has found that nearly two out of every 10 households in India have all adults who are either overweight or obese. The analysis of data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) covered over 6.36 lakh households and revealed a concerning prevalence of overweight and obesity. The study, published in the Public Health Journal, an official publication of the Royal Society of Public Health, UK, highlights the urgent need for family-centered approaches to obesity prevention.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from over 6.36 lakh households, covering nearly 10% of India's population, to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
  • The analysis revealed that 20% of households had all adult members classified as overweight, while 10% of households had all adults classified as obese.
  • States such as Manipur, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim have over 30% of households with all adults overweight.
  • In Tamil Nadu and Punjab, two out of five households have all adults classified as obese.
  • The proportion of households with all obese members is nearly twice as high in urban areas compared to rural counterparts.
  • The study found a clustering pattern where families are more likely to have multiple members who are overweight or obese.
  • The lead researcher, Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, attributed this clustering pattern to the urgent need for family-centered approaches to obesity prevention.
  • Director ICMR-NICPR, Dr. Shalini Singh, emphasized that the household clustering of obesity and overweight represents a paradigm shift in understanding obesity in India.

Statistics:

  • Over 6.36 lakh household data were analyzed for the study.
  • 20% of households (1 in 5) have all adult members classified as overweight.
  • 10% of households (1 in 10) have all adult members classified as obese.
  • In states such as Manipur, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, over 30% of households have all adults overweight.
  • In Tamil Nadu and Punjab, two out of five households (40%) have all adults classified as obese.
  • Households with all obese members are nearly twice as common in urban areas (18.7%) compared to rural areas (10.3%).
  • The study highlights that individuals in family obesity clusters face a heightened risk of developing multiple non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Sources:

  • Study published in the Public Health Journal, an official publication of the Royal Society of Public Health, UK.
  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21)
  • ICMRNational Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR)
  • TERI School of Advanced Studies
  • Symbiosis International
  • Royal Society of Public Health, UK