India obesity: Nearly one in four Indian adults is now obese, according to a new study launched by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in New Delhi on Tuesday, which warns that the country is at a “turning point” as obesity-linked diseases rise sharply in both urban and rural areas.
The paper, titled Building on Success to Secure India’s Future Health, says 24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese, almost five times the prevalence seen three decades ago. The burden is significantly higher in cities and varies widely between states. Citing National Family Health Survey (2019–21) data, the report notes that in Delhi, 41% of women are obese, compared with just 12% in Meghalaya. Among children aged 6 to 16, 22.8% in Delhi are obese, against 13.6% in Maharashtra.
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The study places India’s experience in a global context, pointing out that worldwide healthcare spending has doubled in the past 20 years, even as people are spending fewer of those added years in good health. Health systems designed primarily to treat illness are now under strain from rising demand and limited resources. Global obesity rates have doubled since 1990 and now affect nearly one billion people; if current trends continue, more than half of all adults worldwide could be overweight or obese by 2050, the report says.
Obesity is already adding significantly to India’s disease burden and economic strain. According to the study, excess weight costs the country around USD 2.4 billion annually in healthcare spending and reduces economic output by an estimated USD 28.9 billion, close to 1% of GDP. The authors warn that without stronger preventive measures, these costs will continue to climb.
The report notes that India has begun to respond, highlighting initiatives such as Eat Right India and the Fit India Movement, which aim to improve diet quality and promote physical activity. A “sin tax” on sugary drinks introduced this year and ongoing work on national obesity guidelines are cited as further steps towards prevention. At a roundtable linked to the report’s release, experts called for preventive health to be placed at the heart of India’s growth strategy.
Vivek Agarwal, country director at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said India is well-positioned to lead on prevention. “By combining technology, data and community-driven action, India can not only reduce the growing burden of obesity but also build a stronger, more resilient health system for future generations,” he said.
