Andhra Pradesh has the highest prevalence of obesity among men while Kerala holds the dubious record in the women’s category.
According to the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), nearly 47.9 per cent of men aged 15 to 49 years in Andhra Pradesh were overweight or obese, the highest among all major states in the country. Among women, Kerala topped the rankings with 46.7 per cent classified as overweight or obese.
The findings underscored the growing burden of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases in India, particularly in the southern states, where several states report prevalence levels far above the national averages.
Nationally, 27.3 per cent of men and 30.7 per cent of women were overweight or obese, the survey found. By comparison, Andhra Pradesh’s male prevalence was nearly 21 percentage points higher than the national average, while Kerala’s female prevalence was 16 percentage points higher.
Andhra’s battle against bulging waistlines
The survey revealed that nearly one in every two men in Andhra Pradesh was overweight or obese.
The state’s prevalence increased sharply from 36.5 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 47.9 per cent in NFHS-6, representing one of the largest increases recorded in the country.
The burden was particularly pronounced in urban areas, where 57.3 per cent of men were found to be overweight or obese. Even rural Andhra Pradesh reported a prevalence of 45.2 per cent, indicating that excess weight was no longer confined to cities.
Among all states and Union Territories, only Puducherry (51.5 per cent), Lakshadweep (48.9 per cent) and Chandigarh (48.5 per cent) recorded higher prevalence levels among men than Andhra Pradesh.
The state also registered one of the sharpest increases since NFHS-5, rising by 11.4 percentage points.
Kerala tops among women
For women, Kerala emerged as the most affected large state.
The survey found that 46.7 per cent of women aged 15-49 years in Kerala were overweight or obese, making it the highest-ranking major state in the country.
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The prevalence increased from 38.2 per cent in NFHS-5, representing a rise of 8.5 percentage points in just a few years.
Kerala’s burden extended across both urban and rural populations. While 48.3 per cent of urban women were overweight or obese, the prevalence remained remarkably high at 45.1 per cent in rural areas.
The findings suggested that obesity was no longer primarily an urban phenomenon and had become widespread across the state’s population.
Only Puducherry (51.3 per cent) and Lakshadweep (50.1 per cent) recorded higher prevalence among women nationally.
Southern states dominate rankings
NFHS-6 data showed a clear geographical pattern, with southern states occupying many of the highest positions in India’s obesity rankings.
For men, Andhra Pradesh (47.9 per cent), Tamil Nadu (39.5 per cent), Kerala (37 per cent), Karnataka (36.4 per cent) and Telangana (28.8 per cent) all reported prevalence levels above or close to the national average.
Among women, Kerala (46.7 per cent), Tamil Nadu (44.2 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (41.5 per cent), Karnataka (41.2 per cent) and Telangana (36.3 per cent) ranked among the highest in the country.
The pattern suggested that economic growth, urbanisation, dietary transitions, sedentary lifestyles and changing occupational patterns might have reshaped health outcomes across the region.
Tamil Nadu recorded a prevalence of 44.2 per cent among women and 39.5 per cent among men, placing it among the country’s most-affected states. Karnataka reported 41.2 per cent among women and 36.4 per cent among men.
Telangana’s prevalence among men stood at 28.8 per cent, while 36.3 per cent of women were overweight or obese.
Urban hotspots and rural spread
The survey highlighted the extent of obesity spread beyond metropolitan centres.
Urban Andhra Pradesh reported one of the highest male prevalence rates in the country at 57.3 per cent, meaning nearly six in 10 men were overweight or obese.
Among women, Karnataka recorded an urban prevalence of 51.7 per cent, while Kerala and Andhra Pradesh reported 48.3 per cent and 48.4 per cent, respectively.
Equally significant was the rise in rural areas. Kerala’s rural female prevalence stood at 45.1 per cent, while Andhra Pradesh recorded 38.1 per cent. Among men, rural Andhra Pradesh reported a prevalence of 45.2 per cent.
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