Is Obesity Now a Family Problem in India?

A recent health study has uncovered a striking pattern in Indian households entire families are becoming overweight or obese together. This trend suggests that weight-related health risks are no longer confined to individuals but are increasingly affecting families as a whole.

What Does It Mean to Be Overweight or Obese?

To understand this issue better, it’s important to know how weight status is measured. Health experts often use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess whether a person’s weight is appropriate for their height.

A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight
A BMI of 30 or more indicates obesity

Although BMI doesn’t directly measure body fat, it is a reliable indicator used in public health.

Key Findings from the Study

The research, conducted by scientists from ICMR-NICPR, TERI School of Advanced Studies, and Symbiosis International, looked at data from over 600,000 Indian households collected during the NFHS-5 survey (2019–2021).

Here’s what they found:

In about 20% of households, all adult members were overweight
In 10% of households, all adults were obese
Urban families were twice as likely to be entirely obese compared to rural ones

This shows that weight gain is not an isolated event it’s often shared by all adults in the household.

States with the Highest Risk

The trend was more severe in certain regions. In states like:

Manipur
Kerala
Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim

More than 30% of households had all adults categorized as overweight.

In Tamil Nadu and Punjab, the numbers were even more alarming around 40% of households had all adults falling into the obese category.

Why Are Whole Families Becoming Overweight?

According to the researchers, this is not just a coincidence. The study identified a pattern known as “household clustering” meaning when one family member gains excess weight, others in the same home are more likely to do the same.
Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, lead researcher from ICMR-NICPR, explained:
“Obesity is becoming a shared condition within families. It shows us that we need to focus on changing habits at the family level, not just for one person.”
This insight highlights the need for family-based strategies when it comes to preventing and managing obesity.

Health Risks for These Families

Carrying excess weight significantly raises the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Families where all members are overweight or obese may face higher chances of:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Stroke and heart disease
Certain cancers (including at least 13 types)

The study warns that these “obesity clusters” could be at greater risk for long-term health complications.

What Can Be Done?

Given these findings, experts are calling for a shift in how we address obesity. Instead of targeting individuals, interventions must focus on the family unit.

It include:

Promoting family-based fitness routines
Planning nutritious meals together
Reducing shared unhealthy habits like frequent junk food or inactivity
Increasing community awareness about the risks of excess weight

Conclusion

India is facing a family-level obesity crisis. As more households experience shared weight gain, the risk of chronic illness grows. To truly tackle this issue, we must rethink our approach starting not just with the person, but with the entire household.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.