Obesity in Indian Women Rises, Highlighting Need for Preconception Health
Obesity rates among Indian women aged 15-49 have significantly increased, with nearly one in three now overweight or obese. This trend is prompting a greater focus on preconception health interventions to improve reproductive and pregnancy outcomes.
Key takeaways
- Nearly one in three Indian women aged 15-49 are overweight or obese, an increase from one in four five years ago.
- The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reported 30.7% of women in this age group were overweight or obese in 2023-24.
- Doctors are increasingly focusing on preconception health to address lifestyle-related disorders affecting fertility and pregnancy.
- Preconception care involves assessing partners' health and providing advice on diet, lifestyle, and risk factors.
A growing proportion of Indian women between the ages of 15 and 49 are now classified as overweight or obese, according to recent government data. This marks a notable increase from figures reported just a few years ago.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) indicated that 30.7% of women in this age bracket were overweight or obese in the 2023-24 period. This compares to 24% recorded in the NFHS-5 survey from 2019-21. The data also showed a rise in overweight and obesity among men in the same age group, from 22.9% to 27.3%.
Health professionals are observing a rise in lifestyle-related health issues that affect fertility and pregnancy. This observation is leading to increased attention on the period before conception. Doctors and health practitioners emphasize that addressing health risks for both prospective parents prior to conception could lead to better reproductive health and pregnancy results.
Some institutions are adopting structured programs for preconception care. The SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital in Udupi, Karnataka, is offering preconception counseling and care. This approach involves assessing the health of both partners and providing guidance on diet, lifestyle, and other factors that might affect reproductive health. Consultations aim to identify risks, review medications, address nutritional deficiencies, and encourage healthier living habits before pregnancy.
Ayurvedic principles identify four factors for conception: the fertile period, a healthy reproductive system, healthy sperm and ova, and adequate nourishment. Interventions are designed around these factors, incorporating dietary and lifestyle modifications and, when deemed suitable, traditional therapies. Experts caution that traditional interventions should be individualized and clinically overseen.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
