Nearly one-fourth of all men and women in India are now obese: NFHS

Obesity a growing concern, especially in urban India; marginal decline in stunting among children

One in every four Indians is now obese, shows official data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). Obesity has increased at a national level from 21 per cent to 24 per cent among women, and 19 per cent to 23 per cent among men.

At the same time, the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 2 children per woman now, which is below the replacement level of fertility. At this rate, experts say the population will stabilise in 40 years from now.

Obesity, however, is a growing concern. It is the leading cause of several non-communicable and progressive diseases