India is witnessing an alarming rise in obesity, turning it into a serious public health concern, the Economic Survey 2025–26 has warned.
Tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, the Survey attributes the trend to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, growing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and environmental factors.
It notes that obesity now affects people across age groups and regions, significantly increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension in both urban and rural populations.
Drawing on data from the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), the Survey reports that 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of men are overweight or obese. Among adults aged 15–49 years, obesity affects 6.4 per cent of women and 4 per cent of men.
The situation among children is equally concerning. The proportion of overweight children under five rose from 2.1 per cent in 2015–16 to 3.4 per cent in 2019–21.
Estimates suggest that over 3.3 crore children were obese in 2020, a figure projected to climb to 8.3 crore by 2035 if current trends persist.
Ultra-Processed Foods Under Scrutiny
The Survey highlights the rapid expansion of India’s UPF market as a key driver of deteriorating dietary quality.
UPF sales grew by over 150 per cent between 2009 and 2023, with retail sales surging from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019. During this period, obesity levels in both men and women almost doubled, reflecting global dietary shifts.
The report cautions that rising UPF consumption carries high economic costs through higher healthcare spending, reduced productivity and long-term fiscal pressure.
To counter the trend, the Survey points to multi-pronged government initiatives, including POSHAN Abhiyaan, Fit India, Khelo India, Eat Right India and nationwide awareness campaigns. These programmes aim to promote healthier diets, physical activity and lifestyle changes towards a healthier India.
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