In a major study that rings alarm bells for India’s health system, scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have found that overweight and obesity are no longer just personal health problems—they’re becoming household issues.

The study, recently published in the journal Public Health, was led by Dr. P.K. Singh from ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) in collaboration with researchers Dr. Rakesh Kakkar, Dr. Ravendra K. Sharma, and Dr. Pradeep K. Panda. Using data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the research looked at over 761,000 adults and 636,000 households across the country.

Their big finding? One in five Indian households now has all adult members overweight, and one in ten has all adults classified as obese.

What the Numbers Say

Obesity is increasing across India, but some parts of the country are hit harder than others. Southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry are showing especially high rates, with up to 25% of households having all adults obese in places like Puducherry.

Urban areas are also at higher risk than rural ones. Wealthier households are seeing the greatest impact—with families in the top income bracket being five times more likely to be obese than those in the poorest bracket.

“This isn’t just about one person’s lifestyle. It’s now about how the entire family eats, moves, and lives,” said Dr. P.K. Singh, lead author of the study. “If everyone in a household is overweight or obese, it means something bigger is going on—and we need to act as families, not just as individuals.”

Why It Matters

Obesity is a known risk factor for serious illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even cancer. And with lifestyles becoming more sedentary, diets turning unhealthy, and stress levels rising, the problem is growing fast—especially in urban and high-income communities.

But the study also found social and regional differences. Households from Scheduled Tribes showed the lowest obesity rates at just 4.2%, while socially forward groups had the highest rates at 12.2%. Obesity was also found to be twice as common in urban families compared to rural ones.

“This kind of data helps us understand where to focus our health efforts,” explained Dr. Ravendra K. Sharma, one of the co-authors. “We’re seeing a clear pattern—and that’s valuable for making policies that work.”

Why Whole Families Are at Risk

The study didn’t just look at individuals—it zoomed out to see how obesity is shared within households. Using advanced statistical models, the researchers found that household habits—like shared meals, lifestyle routines, and physical activity levels—had a bigger impact on obesity than district or community-level factors.

“It’s like second-hand smoke,” said Dr. Rakesh Kakkar, another co-author. “If one family member has unhealthy habits, others in the house often adopt the same behaviors.”

That means public health campaigns that only focus on individuals may miss the mark.

What Needs to Happen

The researchers say it’s time for family-centered health programs that go beyond just telling people to eat better or exercise more.

“We need to start health education at home,” said Dr. Pradeep K. Panda, co-author and public health expert. “Families need to be supported with better information, better food choices, and safer spaces to stay active.”

The ICMR team hopes that this data will help shape targeted health policies, especially in urban areas and among high-risk social groups.

A Wake-Up Call for India

With WHO predicting that global obesity will cross one billion people by 2030, and India expected to contribute a significant portion, this study is a timely reminder that the fight against obesity can’t be won one person at a time.

“This is not just about weight—it’s about our future as a healthy society,” Dr. Singh said. “And that future starts at home.”