NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023–24 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the International Institute for Population Sciences Mumbai

NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023–24 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the International Institute for Population Sciences Mumbai

¨     National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) was conducted during 2023–24 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the International Institute for Population Sciences Mumbai.

¨     NFHS-6 reported a rise in obesity and high blood sugar levels among Indian adults compared to NFHS-5 (2019–21).

¨     The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a large-scale household survey that collects data on fertility, mortality, nutrition, anaemia, family planning, and non-communicable diseases.

¨  NFHS-6 included indicators related to obesity, blood sugar, and other health parameters across States and Union Territories.

¨  Among women aged 15–49 years, obesity increased from 24% in NFHS-5 to 30.7% in NFHS-6.

¨   Among men aged 15–49 years, obesity rose from 22.9% to 27.3% during the same period.

¨     Urban areas recorded higher obesity levels than rural areas.

¨  In 2023–24, 42.8% of urban women were overweight or obese, compared with 25.5% of rural women.

¨  Among women aged 15 years and above, the prevalence of high blood sugar levels or use of medication for blood sugar control increased from 13.5% in NFHS-5 to 17.8% in NFHS-6.

¨     Among men aged 15 years and above, the prevalence rose from 15.6% to 20.9%.

¨     Kerala recorded the highest diabetes prevalence, with 31.9% among men and 28.9% among women in 2023–24.

¨     Puducherry recorded the highest female obesity prevalence at 46.3%.

¨     It was followed by Chandigarh at 44% and Delhi at 41.4%.

¨ The findings indicate a growing burden of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases in India.