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India's Obesity Crisis: Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Alarming Health Survey Findings

The Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in Parliament raises a major alarm over India's rapidly rising obesity rates, driven by unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. It specifically highlights the dangerous surge in consumption of ultra-processed foods, with retail sales exploding 40-fold between 2006 and 2019. The data shows nearly a quarter of Indian adults are now overweight or obese, with childhood obesity also on a sharp upward trajectory. In response, the government is promoting comprehensive initiatives like Poshan 2.0 and the Fit India Movement to combat this public health crisis.

Key Points: Economic Survey Warns of Rising Obesity from Processed Foods

  • 24% of women & 23% of men overweight/obese
  • UPF market grew over 150% (2009-2023)
  • Over 3.3 crore Indian children obese in 2020
  • Obesity prevalence rising in both urban & rural areas
  • Government launching multi-pronged health initiatives
2 min read

Lifestyle changes, intake of ultra-processed foods driving obesity at alarming rate: Eco Survey

India's Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights an alarming rise in obesity linked to ultra-processed foods and sedentary lifestyles, affecting all age groups.

"It is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension - Economic Survey"

New Delhi, Jan 29

Obesity is rising at an alarming rate and is today a major public health challenge in India, said Economic Survey for 2025-26 on Thursday.

According to the Economic Survey, tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the concerning trend was driven by unhealthy diets, lifestyle changes, including sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental factors.

"It is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, impacting both urban and rural populations," the Survey said.

Citing data from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the Survey said that 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight or obese. Among women aged 15-49 years, 6.4 per cent are obese, and among men, 4.0 per cent are obese. The prevalence of excess weight among children under five has risen from 2.1 per cent in 2015-16 to 3.4 per cent in 2019-21.

As per estimates, more than 3.3 crore children in India were obese in 2020, and it is projected to reach 8.3 crore children by 2035.

The Economic Survey also flagged concern over the rising UPF market in the country, which is displacing long-established dietary patterns, worsening diet quality, and is associated with increased risk of multiple chronic diseases.

"India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPF sales. It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold rise. It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women. This mirrors the global rise of obesity, parallel to dietary shifts," it said.

"The rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending, lost productivity, and long-term fiscal strain," it added.

The Survey also cited comprehensive, multi-pronged initiatives launched by the government to prevent, manage, and reduce obesity in the country.

The interventions include POSHAN Abhiyaan & Poshan 2.0, Fit India Movement, Khelo India, Eat Right India, Nationwide Awareness Campaign - 'Aaj Se Thoda Kam' and AAMs, the School Health Programme, and Yoga promotion.

These aim to promote a holistic approach that integrates health, nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and lifestyle modifications and continue to advance the goal of a healthier, stronger, and obesity-free India.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The numbers are shocking but not surprising. Sedentary jobs, long commutes, and the easy availability of cheap processed food are a deadly combo. I used to walk to school, now my nephew is dropped by car and spends evenings on his tablet. The 'Aaj Se Thoda Kam' slogan is perfect - small changes can make a big difference.
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David E
Living in Bangalore, I see this daily. The rise of food delivery apps means people order calorie-dense restaurant food or ready-to-eat meals multiple times a week. The traditional balanced meal is becoming a rarity. While initiatives like Eat Right India are commendable, stricter regulations on marketing of UPFs to children are urgently needed.
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Aditya G
It's not just an urban problem anymore. When I visit my village in Punjab, I see the same cola bottles and packaged snacks. The shift from fresh, local produce is worrying. The economic cost mentioned is huge - we cannot afford this health crisis. Promoting yoga and Khelo India is great, but we also need to make healthy food the affordable & easy choice.
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Sarah B
As a mother, the child obesity projection to 2035 is terrifying. 8.3 crore children? We are failing our next generation. Schools must enforce strict canteen policies and bring back proper sports periods, not just theory. The Poshan Abhiyaan needs more ground-level impact. Awareness is there, but implementation is weak in many places.
K
Karthik V
While the survey highlights the problem well, I feel the government's approach is a bit scattered across

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