India
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
Obesity prevalence
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) / DHS 2015-2016. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2014-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18-69 |
Sample size: | 5032 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Tripathy JP, Thakur JS, Jeet G, Chawla S, Jain S, Prasad R. Urban rural differences in diet, physical activity and obesity in India: are we witnessing the great Indian equalisation? Results from a cross-sectional STEPS survey. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:816. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3489-8. |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs displayed. Asian cut-offs also available. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2005-2006
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 181912 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) 2005–06. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International. 2007. |
Notes: | Demographic Health Survey data includes ever married women aged 15-49 years only and may include males aged 15-59. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1991-1995
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 35-64 |
Sample size: | 5537 |
References: | Reddy KS, Prabhakaran D, Shah P, Shah B. Differences in body mass index and waist:hip ratios in North Indian rural and urban populations. Obesity Reviews, 2002;3:197-202 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1988-1990
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 21361 |
References: | Naidu AN, Rao NP. Body mass index: a measure of the nutritional status in Indian populations. European Journal of Clincial Nutrition 1994;48 (suppl 3):S131-S140 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1974-1979
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 39143 |
References: | Naidu AN, Rao NP. Body mass index: a measure of the nutritional status in Indian populations. European Journal of Clincial Nutrition 1994;48 (suppl 3):S131-S140 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10-19 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10-19 |
Sample size: | 1900 |
Area covered: | Urban only |
References: | Rohilla R, Rajput M, Rohilla J, Malik M, Garg D, Verma M. Prevalence and correlates of overweight/obesity among adolescents in an Urban City of North India. J Family Med Prim Care [serial online] 2014 [cited 2019 Oct 29];3:404-8. Available from: http://www.jfmpc.com/text.asp?2014/3/4/404/148127 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2007
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 13-15 |
Sample size: | 8130 |
Area covered: | Central Board of Secondary Education |
References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey, India (CBSE) 2007. https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2007_India_CBSE_fact_sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2007-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-17 |
Sample size: | 20243 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | V.V Khadilkar, A.V.Khadilkar, T.J.Cole, S.A.Chiplonkar and Deepa Pandit. 2010. Overweight and obesity prevalence and body mass index trends in Indian children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, Early Online, 1 - 9. |
Notes: | Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2006
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-18 |
Sample size: | 21485 |
Area covered: | Subnational |
References: | Data presented in Wang Y, Chen HJ, Shaikh S, Mathur P. Is obesity becoming a public health problem in India? Examine the shift from under- to overnutrition problems over time. Obesity Reviews 2009;10:456-474, data originally derived from Marwaha RK, Tandon N, Singh Y, Aggarwal R, Grewal K, Mani K. A study of growth parameters and prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children from Delhi. Indian Pediatr 2006; 43: 943–952. |
Notes: | IOTF International Cut off Used. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2002-2003
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2539 |
Area covered: | Regional |
References: | Unpublished work |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Overweight/obesity by education
Men, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2008-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 13789 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Pradeepa R, Anjana RM, Joshi SR, et al. Prevalence of generalized & abdominal obesity in urban & rural India- the ICMR - INDIAB Study (Phase-I) [ICMR - INDIAB-3]. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2015;142(2):139-150. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.164234. |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by education. Generalized obesity (GO) was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for both genders (based on the World Health Organization Asia Pacific Guidelines). |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 112316 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10-19 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 14-16 |
Sample size: | 1079 |
Area covered: | Surat city, Gujarat |
References: | Gamit SS, Moitra M, Verma MR. Prevalence of obesity and overweight in school going adolescents of Surat city, Gujarat, India.International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health 2015:Vol 4;42-47 |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Father's education. Students who had body mass index (BMI) of >85th and <95th percentile of reference population were classified as overweight and BMI of >95th percentile of reference population were classified as obese. |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Overweight/obesity by region
Men, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 803,211 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey - 4 (2015-16) Available at: http://rchiips.org/nfhs/pdf/NFHS4/India.pdf |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 803,211 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey - 4 (2015-16) Available at: http://rchiips.org/nfhs/pdf/NFHS4/India.pdf |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2008-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 12634 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Pradeepa R, Anjana RM, Joshi SR, et al. Prevalence of generalized & abdominal obesity in urban & rural India- the ICMR - INDIAB Study (Phase-I) [ICMR - INDIAB-3]. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2015;142(2):139-150. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.164234. |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by region. Generalized obesity (GO) was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for both genders (based on the World Health Organization Asia Pacific Guidelines). |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10-19 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Men, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 754,697 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4). Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2008-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 12783 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Pradeepa R, Anjana RM, Joshi SR, et al. Prevalence of generalized & abdominal obesity in urban & rural India- the ICMR - INDIAB Study (Phase-I) [ICMR - INDIAB-3]. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2015;142(2):139-150. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.164234. |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by occupation. Generalized obesity (GO) was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for both genders (based on the World Health Organization Asia Pacific Guidelines). |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2008-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 12634 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Pradeepa R, Anjana RM, Joshi SR, et al. Prevalence of generalized & abdominal obesity in urban & rural India- the ICMR - INDIAB Study (Phase-I) [ICMR - INDIAB-3]. The Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2015;142(2):139-150. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.164234. |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by income. Generalized obesity (GO) was defined as a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 for both genders (based on the World Health Organization Asia Pacific Guidelines). |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 112316 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2016-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 10-19 |
Sample size: | 112316 (0-19 years) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, UNICEF and Population Council. 2019. Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi. |
Notes: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2013
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 14-16 |
Sample size: | 1079 |
Area covered: | Surat city, Gujarat |
References: | Goyal RK1, Shah VN, Saboo BD, Phatak SR, Shah NN, Gohel MC, Raval PB, and Patel SS. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Indian adolescent school going children: its relationship with socioeconomic status and associated lifestyle factors. J Assoc Physicians India. 2010 Mar;58:151-8. |
Notes: | Prevalence of overweight and obesity by Father's occupation. Students who had body mass index (BMI) of >85th and <95th percentile of reference population were classified as overweight and BMI of >95th percentile of reference population were classified as obese. |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Children, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2017
References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Health systems summary
India has a mixed and complex health care system that has undergone significant reform in recent years. In 2014, the government announced plans for a nationwide universal health care system and in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat scheme was announced. Ayushman Bharat consists of 2 main elements: a National Health Protection Scheme that focuses on secondary and tertiary care for low-income and vulnerable families and Health and Wellness centres that deliver primary care. Other schemes in India (many of which are mandatory health insurance programmes) include the Employee State Insurance Scheme for factory workers, the Central Government Health Scheme for civil servants and two further schemes for rail and defence employees.
Historically, India has had poor health coverage and as a result, poor financial protection for most of the population. In 2015, out of pocket spending made up approximately 62.6% of total health expenditure. The impact of recent reforms remains to be seen, but India’s health system remains challenged by tackling both infectious disease and malnutrition in the context of rising non-communicable diseases and low financial investment.
Indicators
Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | No |
Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | No |
Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | Yes |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | No |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | No |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | Yes |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | No |
In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Out of pocket |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
It was said that health can be a low priority in India, with the majority of attention given to diseases common to the rural population, undernutrition and infectious disease. Stakeholders felt that neither the government nor the insurers classify obesity as a disease, and instead, obesity is subsumed under the nutrition agenda. This is reflected by the fact that governmental financial investment into obesity is limited (although its political investment extends to a sugar tax). At best, most felt that obesity is considered as just a risk factor for other diseases.
Stakeholders felt that because healthcare professionals do not financially benefit from treating obesity (as treatment is not typically reimbursed by insurers), many are not proactive with offering treatment and advice. The exception to this is bariatric treatment for which both training and guidelines exist - although, it was suggested that this exception may be financially motivated. Otherwise, it was said that people only tended to enter the system when they had medical complications and/or obesity-related illnesses and injuries rather than just treatment for the obesity itself. Low health-seeking behaviour was considered to be the result of high out of pocket expenses. Once in the system, it was reported that people fell out because of the fractured health system and poor outcomes in weight loss.
While there is a non –communicable disease strategy (and an accompanying implementation guide), stakeholders reported that there is no real focus on obesity within it. Various medical bodies have clinical guidelines for the treatment of obesity but as these do not have obvious backing from the government, it was suggested that uptake of these guidelines is poor. There is no specialist obesity training in India.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 12 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020