Alarming Rise in Overweight Urban Women
According to the latest National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), nearly half (48.7%) of urban women aged 15-49 in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) are now overweight or obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). This represents a 7-percentage-point increase in just five years, signaling a quietly growing lifestyle health crisis.
In rural areas, the rate is lower but still significant at 33.3%. Combined, the prevalence among women in J&K has climbed from 29.4% five years ago to 36.7%.
Men See a Decline, but Concerns Remain
On a positive note, overweight prevalence among men in J&K has decreased from 31.7% to 27.1% over five years. However, one in four men remains overweight or obese, posing ongoing health risks.
Sharp Rise in Diabetes
NFHS-6 also reveals a significant surge in diabetes: 13% of women now have blood sugar levels above 140 mg/dl or are on medication, up from 8.7% five years ago. Among men, the rate rose from 8% to 11.3%, meaning more than one in nine adult men now has high blood sugar.
The urban burden is heavier: 14.6% of urban women and 14.3% of urban men have high blood sugar, compared to 11.9% and 10.3% in rural areas, respectively.
Experts Warn of Accelerated Lifestyle Disease Transition
Prof. S M Saleem Khan, former head of Social and Preventive Medicine at GMC Srinagar, warns that J&K is transitioning from infectious to lifestyle diseases at an 'overly accelerated pace.' 'Without immediate population-wide interventions focused on diet, exercise, and routine NCD screening, we will face a massive burden of premature morbidity and escalating healthcare costs,' he said.
Undernutrition Persists
Notably, while overweight is rising, undernutrition has not disappeared. About 9.5% of both women and men have a BMI below 18.5 kg/m² (underweight), nearly double the level reported in the previous survey. This dual burden of over- and under-nutrition highlights the region's complex health challenges.