NFHS-6: India’s Obesity and Diabetes Are Rising Fast

General Studies Paper 2 — Health, Governance
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare / NFHS-6, 2023–24

1. What Happened

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released findings of the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) conducted in 2023–24. The survey reveals a sharp rise in obesity and high blood sugar (diabetes) across India in just five years, affecting both urban and rural populations, men and women alike.

2. The Numbers — What Changed in Five Years

Key Data — NFHS-5 (2019–21) vs NFHS-6 (2023–24)

Obesity Rate — Urban vs Rural (2023–24)

3. Why This Is Happening — The Structural Causes

Nutritional Transition

Traditional coarse-grain diets are increasingly being replaced by ultra-processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and high-sugar beverages.

Sedentary Urbanisation

Unplanned cities with poor public transport and limited walkable spaces have made physical inactivity a structural issue rather than merely a personal choice.

Double Burden of Malnutrition

India continues to struggle with child undernutrition and stunting while simultaneously witnessing a rise in adult obesity. Both crises coexist within the same population.

4. Value Box — Key Institutions and Programmes

NFHS — National Family Health Survey

India’s largest population-based health survey.

• Coordinated by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai
• Conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• NFHS-6 covered 6.79 lakh households
• Conducted across all States and Union Territories (except Manipur)

Key Government Programmes on Non-Communicable Diseases

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)

A flagship programme under the National Health Mission that screens and treats:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cancer

Eat Right India

An initiative led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) promoting:

• Healthy diets
• Front-of-pack food labelling
• Reduced consumption of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods

Fit India Movement

A behavioural change campaign encouraging:

• Regular exercise
• Physical activity
• Healthy lifestyle choices

Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres

More than 1.6 lakh sub-health centres have been upgraded to provide primary healthcare services, including:

• Blood sugar screening
• Blood pressure screening
• BMI assessment

These services are delivered at the grassroots level across rural India.

Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) and India’s non-communicable disease burden:

1. NFHS-6 is coordinated by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and covered 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts.
2. According to NFHS-6 data, the proportion of obese women in urban areas (42.8%) is significantly higher than in rural areas (25.5%), reflecting the urban-rural divide in lifestyle diseases.
3. The Eat Right India initiative, which promotes healthy diets and front-of-pack food labelling, is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only