India
Lower-middle income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *4/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2019-2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 34648 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. 2021. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India, 2019-20: Maharashtra. Mumbai: IIPS. Available at https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR374/FR374_Maharashtra.pdf (last accessed 21.05.25) |
| Notes: | Sub National - State of Maharashtra State of Karnataka 2019-20 also available at http://rchiips.org/nfhs/NFHS-5Report_KA.shtml National data should be available later in 2021 NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 24.03.21)' |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2019-2021
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 744791 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. 2021. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf [Accessed 24.07.24] |
| Notes: | NB. Combined adult data estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2022 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 24.07.24) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2015-2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15-49 |
| Sample size: | 754,697 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and ICF. 2017. National Family Health Survey NFHS-4, 2015-16: India. Mumbai: IIPS. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). |
| 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, 2014-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18-69 |
| Sample size: | 5032 |
| Area covered: | Regional (Punjab) |
| 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: | Uses a STEP questionnaire. |
| Definitions: | Asian cut-offs also available in paper. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
| 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: | Regional (Punjab) |
| 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: | Uses a STEPS questionnaire. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO Asia |
| 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: | International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and Macro International. 2007. National Family Health Survey NFHS-3, 2005–06: India: Volume I. Mumbai, India: IIPS and Macro International. |
| 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. |
| Definitions: | Overweight BMI-for-age ≥ 1SD ≤ 2SD Obesity BMI-for-age ≥ 2SD |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2016-2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-19 |
| Sample size: | 32120 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Kumar, P., Srivastava, S., Mishra, P.S. et al. Prevalence of pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes among adolescents (10–19 years) and its association with different measures of overweight/obesity in India: a gendered perspective. BMC Endocr Disord 21, 146 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-021-00802-w |
| Notes: | Sample size. Girls = 15602. Boys = 16518. NB. Combined chulddata estimated. These estimates were calculated by weighting male and female survey results. Weighting based on World Bank Population % total female 2019 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL.FE.ZS - accessed 19.05.21) |
| Definitions: | BMI for age. Overweight or obesity = BMI > + 1 SD |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2011-2012
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 10-19 |
| Sample size: | 1900 |
| Area covered: | Regional (Urban) |
| 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, 2007-2008
| 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. |
| 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, 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. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2002-2003
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-17 |
| Sample size: | 2539 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Unpublished work |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
0-5 years, 2019-2021
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 197475 |
| References: | DHS: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21: India. Mumbai: IIPS |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2016-2018
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 35784 |
| References: | NNS: Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) National Report. New Delhi |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2015-2016
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 224430 |
| References: | DHS: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), 2015-16: India. Mumbai: IIPS. 2017 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2005-2006
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 47788 |
| References: | DHS: National family health survey (NFHS-3), 2005-06: India: Demographic and Health Surveys. Mumbai, India: IIPS, 2007 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1998-1900
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 25260 |
| References: | DHS: National family health survey (NFHS-2) 1998-99. Demographic and Health Surveys. Mumbai, India, 2000 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1996-1997
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 22959 |
| References: | Other: Diet and nutrition situation in rural India. Indian Journal of Medical Research 1998;108:243-253 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1992-1993
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 26602 |
| References: | DHS: National family health survey, India 1992-93. Demographic and Health Surveys. Bombay, India, 1995 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
% Adults living with obesity in India 2005-2019
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and Macro International. 2007. National Family Health Survey NFHS-3, 2005–06: India: Volume I. Mumbai, India: IIPS and Macro International. 2015: International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and ICF. 2017. National Family Health Survey NFHS-4, 2015-16: India. Mumbai: IIPS. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). 2019: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. 2021. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf [Accessed 24.07.24] |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2005: International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and Macro International. 2007. National Family Health Survey NFHS-3, 2005–06: India: Volume I. Mumbai, India: IIPS and Macro International. 2015: International Institute for Population Sciences - IIPS/India and ICF. 2017. National Family Health Survey NFHS-4, 2015-16: India. Mumbai: IIPS. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR339/FR339.pdf (Accessed 6 March 2019). 2019: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and ICF. 2021. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf [Accessed 24.07.24] |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
