NFHS-6: Nearly 1 in 3 Indian women overweight or obese

India Jun 02, 2026

Obesity is climbing fast in India, especially among urban women aged 15 to 49.
According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), nearly one in three women are overweight or obese nationwide, with urban rates at 42.8%, compared to 25.5% in rural areas.
That's a sharp jump from just a few years ago.

Urban men see higher obesity rates

Urban men are also seeing higher obesity rates, at 36.3% compared to 23% in rural regions.
Southern states and union territories top the charts for women's obesity: Puducherry leads with over half its women affected, followed by Lakshadweep, and Andhra Pradesh.
On a brighter note, overweight prevalence among children under five has actually dropped since the last survey, showing some progress amidst these rising numbers.