Rohit Shishodia
It seems that obesity is increasing rampantly across India. A survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that more than one in every four adults and 6.2% adolescents are overweight or obese.  

The survey covered a national sample of 600 primary sampling units from 348 districts in 28 States in collaboration with eleven institutions across India. This is the first of its kind comprehensive survey on NCDs using standardized tools and methods, covering the age group of 15-69 years, males and females residing in urban and rural areas of the country.

The survey, Non-communicable Disease Monitoring Survey, further found that one in every three adults and more than one-fourth proportion of men used any form of tobacco and had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months.  

As per the survey, the average daily intake of salt among participants was 8 grams while more than two in five adults and one in four adolescents were doing insufficient physical activity.

As per the findings of the survey, almost three out of ten adults had raised blood pressure and 9.3% had raised blood glucose. Two in five adults had three or more risk factors for NCDs.

Releasing the findings of the survey, India’s Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan noted, “The survey was undertaken to provide baseline information on NCD risk factors and it highlights the need to improve comprehensive multi-sectoral approaches focused on both prevention and management of NCDs. Regular surveillance of NCDs is critical to monitor the trends and to guide the interventions.”