Obesity is no longer an individual health concern in India—it has become a household and community crisis. A new nationwide survey by LocalCircles titled“Obesity and Budget – 3 in 4 Indians Surveyed Have Someone Obese in Their Close Social Network”highlights how deeply excess weight has penetrated Indian families and social circles.
According to the survey, nearly 76% of respondents report having at least one obese family member, friend, colleague or neighbour, while 42% say four or more people in their close network are obese. The findings cut across urban and rural India, indicating that obesity is becoming normalised across generations and income groups.
Experts link this trend to a combination of rising food inflation, sedentary lifestyles and the growing dominance of ultra-processed foods over traditional diets. As healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and protein become more expensive, many households are turning to cheaper, calorie-dense snacks and street food, worsening diet quality and overall health outcomes.
The survey findings align with national data. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019–21 shows that 24% of Indian women and 23% of men are overweight or obese. Alarmingly, childhood obesity is also rising, with excess weight among children under five increasing from 2.1% in 2015–16 to 3.4% in 2019–21.
Medical experts warn that obesity clusters within families significantly increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and fatty liver. Around 56% of respondents acknowledged that obese individuals in their close network are already living with lifestyle-related diseases.
When asked about the causes, 64% of respondents attributed obesity to sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise, while 68% pointed to fatty and ultra-processed diets. The findings suggest strong public awareness of the problem but highlight the urgent need for affordable, family-level interventions and policy-driven dietary reforms.
With over 100 million Indians estimated to be living with obesity, experts stress that tackling unhealthy food environments and promoting active lifestyles must become a public health priority, not just a personal responsibility.
