Why Obesity Is Emerging As India’s Next Big Health Emergency

India is grappling with a silent yet escalating public health crisis: obesity. Once considered a problem confined to Western nations, obesity has emerged as a major health emergency in India, driving a surge in early-onset diabetes, hypertension, fertility issues, and even cancer. The scale of this crisis is alarming, with children and young adults increasingly at risk, signaling a systemic threat that demands urgent action. As of September 2, 2025, experts like Dr. Raj Palaniappan, Director & Lead Surgeon at the Institute of Bariatrics, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, emphasize that obesity is far more than a cosmetic concern—it’s a complex medical condition affecting metabolism, hormonal balance, and long-term health. This article explores the causes, consequences, and solutions to India’s obesity epidemic, highlighting the need for systemic change to address this growing challenge.

Obesity: Beyond Weight and Appearance

Obesity is often misunderstood as merely a matter of excess weight or poor lifestyle choices. However, Dr. Palaniappan clarifies, “Obesity is a medical condition that affects metabolism, hormone balance, and long-term health. It is far more than physical appearance.” Body Mass Index (BMI), a common tool for classifying weight, is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²). While a BMI above 25 is considered overweight and above 30 is obese per World Health Organization (WHO) standards, these metrics don’t capture the full complexity. For instance, many young women in India have a “normal” BMI but carry excess central fat, which is metabolically active and linked to insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and infertility. This visceral fat, stored around abdominal organs, is particularly dangerous, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues.

The Apollo Health of the Nation 2025 report underscores the severity of the crisis, revealing that 61% of screened adults in India are obese, and 18% are overweight. Alarmingly, the epidemic is not limited to adults—8% of primary school students and 28% of college students are already living with obesity. These figures, combined with a 2024 Lancet study predicting that nearly one-third of India’s population could be obese by 2050, highlight the urgent need for intervention. Obesity’s impact extends beyond health, straining healthcare systems and reducing economic productivity due to increased medical costs and absenteeism, estimated at $13 million annually by 2025, according to the World Obesity Federation.

The Alarming Rise Among Young Indians

One of the most concerning trends is the shift in the demographic affected by obesity. “Two decades ago, most patients seeking help were middle-aged or older. Now, only 35% fall in that category. Obesity in 20- and 30-year-olds has jumped to nearly 25–30%,” says Dr. Palaniappan. This shift is particularly troubling because younger individuals face longer exposure to obesity-related health risks, significantly impacting their quality of life and lifespan. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–2021) supports this, reporting that 24% of women and 22.9% of men aged 15–49 are obese, with rates rising faster in urban areas (33.2% for women, 29.8% for men) than rural ones (19.7% for women, 19.3% for men).

The consequences for young adults are immediate and severe. Prediabetes now affects 30% of individuals in their 20s and 30s, while type 2 diabetes is striking as early as age 30—a decade earlier than in Western populations. Comorbidities such as hypertension, fatty liver disease, and hormonal imbalances like PCOS are appearing at younger ages, driven by obesity. A 2025 India Today report notes that heart attacks, once common in Indians in their late 50s, are now occurring in the 30s, largely due to visceral fat disrupting metabolism and clogging arteries. For children, the situation is equally dire, with 12.5 million aged 5–19 classified as overweight or obese in 2022, up from 0.4 million in 1990, according to a Lancet study.

Why Is Obesity Rising in India?

The rapid rise in obesity is driven by a complex interplay of factors beyond individual choices. Urbanization, economic growth, and changing lifestyles have transformed dietary patterns and physical activity levels over the past two decades. The commercialization of ultra-processed foods—such as instant noodles, sugary snacks, and fried items—has surged, with India seeing some of the largest annual growth in per capita sales of these products between 2009 and 2019, according to a 2025 Lancet report. These foods, high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbs, contribute to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. Simultaneously, sedentary lifestyles, fueled by desk jobs and reliance on motorized transport, have reduced physical activity, with a 2022 Lancet study noting that nearly 50% of Indian adults engage in insufficient exercise.

Genetics also plays a significant role. South Asians, including Indians, have a genetic predisposition to store fat more efficiently, particularly visceral fat, making them more susceptible to obesity-related diseases at lower BMI levels than other populations. A 2009 Journal of the Association of Physicians of India (JAPI) guideline recommends classifying obesity at a BMI of 25 kg/m² for Indians, lower than the WHO’s 30 kg/m², due to higher body fat percentages. Socioeconomic factors further exacerbate the issue, with limited access to healthy foods and low nutritional awareness in both urban and rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these trends, as lockdowns led to reduced physical activity and increased consumption of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods, according to a 2024 Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome report.

The Role of Mental Health and Environment

Mental health is an often-overlooked driver of obesity. Rising stress, anxiety, and depression, coupled with poor coping mechanisms like emotional overeating, fuel the epidemic. Dr. Palaniappan notes that “diet and exercise account for only 30–35% of obesity risk,” with factors like poor sleep, stress, and medications (e.g., antidepressants or steroids) contributing significantly. A 2025 India Today report highlights that cities are “drowning in ultra-processed foods, pollution, and desk-bound jobs,” creating an obesogenic environment that promotes weight gain. Gut health also plays a role, as imbalances in the microbiome, influenced by processed diets, can disrupt metabolism and increase fat storage, per a 2024 Journal of Nutrition study.

The dual burden of malnutrition and obesity further complicates the issue. While undernutrition remains a challenge in parts of India, overnutrition is rising rapidly, even in lower socioeconomic groups. A 2023 Economic Survey of India notes that 56.4% of the disease burden is linked to unhealthy diets, with micronutrient deficiencies and obesity coexisting in many households. This paradox, coupled with weight stigma—reported by one in three women with a BMI over 35 kg/m²—adds psychological and social barriers to addressing obesity, leading to depression and reduced motivation for lifestyle changes.

Health Consequences of Obesity

Obesity is a major risk factor for a wide range of NCDs. In the cardiovascular system, it increases the risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke. Respiratory conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome are also common. Metabolically, obesity is closely linked to type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, with India already home to over 100 million diabetics, per a 2023 Economic Survey . Neurologically, obesity raises the risk of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, while musculoskeletal issues like osteoarthritis result from excess weight straining joints. Obesity is also associated with certain cancers (e.g., breast, colon) and infertility, particularly in women with PCOS, as noted in a 2024 Indian Journal of Endocrinology study.

For children, obesity has long-term consequences, with 80% of obese children growing into obese adults, increasing their risk of chronic diseases. Psychosocially, obesity leads to stigma, bullying, and low self-esteem, impacting mental health and school performance. The economic toll is equally significant, with global obesity costs projected to reach $3 trillion annually by 2030, per a 2025 WHO report. In India, the healthcare system faces immense pressure, with obesity-related illnesses contributing to a 19-fold cost increase by 2060 if trends continue unchecked, according to the World Obesity Federation.

Treatment and Prevention Strategies

Addressing obesity requires a multifaceted approach beyond individual efforts. Bariatric interventions have evolved significantly, with options like endoscopic procedures, new drug therapies (e.g., semaglutide), and lifestyle programs offering hope. However, Dr. Palaniappan emphasizes, “No treatment can replace the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.” A nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains—combined with regular physical activity (150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, per WHO guidelines) is critical. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or yoga, can also mitigate emotional eating, with a 2024 study showing a 10% reduction in BMI among participants practicing mindfulness-based interventions.

Systemic changes are equally vital. Policy interventions, such as taxing sugar-sweetened beverages, mandating clear nutritional labeling, and subsidizing healthy foods, can shift dietary patterns. The 2023 Economic Survey recommends workplace wellness programs, including annual health screenings and fitness initiatives, to combat sedentary lifestyles. Schools can play a role by incorporating nutrition education and banning high-fat, high-sugar snacks in canteens. Community-level programs, like India’s Fit India Movement, aim to promote physical activity, but greater investment is needed to reach rural areas. Public awareness campaigns should also address weight stigma, encouraging supportive environments for those seeking to manage obesity.

The Road Ahead: A Call for Collective Action

Obesity is no longer a personal struggle but a public health emergency requiring collective action. With India ranking third globally in obesity prevalence, behind only the US and China, the stakes are high. The government, healthcare providers, communities, and individuals must collaborate to create an environment that supports healthier choices. Initiatives like mandatory obesity screenings in primary health centers, as suggested in a 2025 Drishti IAS report, could enable early intervention. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds can support nutrition and fitness programs, while schools can adopt global models like Japan’s health-promoting school initiatives to foster lifelong healthy habits.

Turning the tide on obesity demands courage, coordination, and consistency. By addressing the root causes—unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors—India can mitigate the growing burden of NCDs and improve quality of life for millions. The cost of inaction is far greater, with rising healthcare costs and reduced productivity threatening economic stability. As National Nutrition Week 2025 approaches, the focus on obesity as a preventable yet urgent health crisis underscores the need for immediate, systemic change.