Over 40% of Urban Gujarat adults aged between 15 to 49 years are obese or overweight, NFHS-6 reveals

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data highlights a staggering rise in obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the state.

According to the NFHS-6 (2023-24) report, urban areas are bearing the heaviest burden of the state’s expanding waistlines. An alarming 44.3% of urban women and 40.2% of urban men aged between 15 and 49 years are now classified as overweight or obese. 

This stands in stark contrast to Gujarat’s rural areas, where the prevalence is significantly lower at 23.2% for women and 21.8% for men.

Statewide surge over passing years

Across Gujarat, the overall percentage of overweight or obese women (aged 15-49) witnessed a steep 9.4% increase surging from 22.7% during NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 32.1% in NFHS-6.

A similar upward trajectory was recorded among men in the same age bracket, where obesity levels jumped by 9.9%, rising from 20% to 29.9% in the latest findings. Concurrently, the data also shows that 21.8% of men in this age group still fall under the below-normal Body Mass Index (BMI) category.

Spurt in blood sugar and hypertension

Blood Sugar Levels: High or very high blood sugar or dependency on medication among women aged 15 and above rose to 16.4% from 15.8% in NFHS-5. For men, this figure increased from 16.9% to 18.6%.

Hypertension: The survey revealed that 20.9% of women and 22.3% of men in Gujarat now suffer from elevated blood pressure or are taking regular corrective medication.