Understanding the Causes and Types of Obesity: What You Need to Know

Obesity is an escalating health crisis in India, profoundly impacting millions and creating a heavy burden on individuals and the healthcare system. This blog explores the main causes of obesity among Indian people, details different obesity types relevant to India, and highlights current Indian data to enhance awareness and promote preventive measures.

Causes of Obesity in India

India's obesity epidemic is driven by a multifactorial blend of lifestyle changes, diet, genetics, and socioeconomic circumstances:

• Dietary Shifts: Traditional Indian diets have increasingly given way to high-calorie processed and fast foods, laden with fats and sugars. This nutrition transition, combined with increased consumption of sugary beverages and snacks, elevates obesity risk.

• Sedentary Lifestyle: With rapid urbanization, many Indians have moved to less physically active jobs and lifestyles. Increased screen time and reduced physical activity further add to weight gain.

• Genetic and Metabolic Factors: Indians have a genetic predisposition to accumulate visceral fat and develop metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance at lower body mass indexes (BMI). This makes them susceptible to obesity-related complications like diabetes and heart diseases.

• Socioeconomic Influences: Urban populations and wealthier strata show higher obesity rates, but rural areas are catching up due to processed food penetration and sedentary habits. Even low-income families consuming high-carb, low-nutrient staples face rising obesity due to limited access to healthier foods.

• Psychological and Hormonal Factors: Stress, emotional eating, and hormonal imbalances like thyroid disorders and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can also contribute to obesity.

Current Indian Obesity Data (2025)

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) and recent studies:

• Approximately 24% of Indian women and 23% of men aged 15-49 are overweight or obese. Obesity prevalence itself is 6.4% among women and 4% among men in this group.

• Rural obesity rates are sharply rising, with overweight or obese rural women increasing from 8.6% to 19.7%, and men from 7.3% to 19.3%.

• Childhood obesity under five years has increased from 2.1% to 3.4% in recent years.

• Metabolic health concerns are alarming: only about 27% of Indian adults are metabolically healthy, meaning over 70% have metabolic abnormalities such as high blood sugar or cholesterol regardless of body size.

• India currently has around 254 million adults with generalized obesity and 351 million with abdominal obesity.

• Economic costs due to obesity-related health issues are projected to rise significantly, reaching an estimated $81.5 billion by 2030.

Types of Obesity in India

• Android Obesity (Central/Abdominal): Fat concentrates mainly around the abdomen, increasing risks for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. This type is commonly seen in Indian populations.

• Gynoid Obesity: Fat deposits around hips and thighs; less risky metabolically but affects mobility and health.

• Childhood Obesity: Increasingly prevalent due to poor diets and inactivity, putting children at risk for obesity-related diseases early in life.

• Hormonal Obesity: Associated with disorders like thyroid imbalance and PCOS impacting metabolism.

Why Understanding This Matters

India faces a unique obesity profile due to genetic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. The rise in obesity affects health outcomes by increasing risks for diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and joint disorders. Public awareness, lifestyle modifications focusing on healthier diets and regular exercise, and policy measures such as regulating processed foods are urgently needed to combat this epidemic.

With nearly one-third of adults overweight or obese, and childhood obesity on the rise, comprehensive action from individuals, communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers is critical. Addressing obesity will help reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases and improve quality of life across India.

Dr. Praveen Kumar N S

MBBS, MD (Gen. Med.), DNB (Endocrinology)
Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetologist
Dr. Praveen's Endocrine Centre
Mysuru, Karnataka. 570009.