Sri Vijaya Puram, June 16: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are witnessing a growing burden of obesity, with nearly one in three adults now classified as overweight or obese, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6).
Data from the survey, conducted during 2023-24 and released recently, shows that 30.7 percent of women aged 15-49 years in the Union Territory are overweight or obese. Among men in the same age group, the figure stands at 27.3 percent.
The findings suggest that excess body weight has emerged as a significant health concern in the islands, reflecting a broader public health transition underway across India. As lifestyles change, diet patterns shift and physical activity declines, obesity and related non-communicable diseases are increasingly becoming a major area of concern even outside large metropolitan centres.
The National Family Health Survey is one of the country’s most comprehensive assessments of health, nutrition and demographic indicators. Its findings are widely used by governments, researchers and public health planners to track long-term changes in health outcomes and identify areas requiring policy attention.
The latest obesity figures are important because excess body weight is closely linked to a higher risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and certain other chronic conditions. These diseases often develop gradually and require long-term treatment, monitoring and lifestyle management.
For an island territory such as Andaman and Nicobar, the rise of lifestyle-related health risks carries added significance. Healthcare access is shaped by geography, inter-island connectivity, availability of specialists and the need for referrals in complicated cases. A sustained increase in obesity-related illnesses could place additional pressure on the local health system over time.
The data also indicates a shift in the nature of public health challenges in the islands. While traditional areas such as maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition and communicable diseases remain important, the growing burden of obesity points to the need for stronger preventive healthcare interventions.
The survey uses Body Mass Index, or BMI, to classify adults into categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. While NFHS-6 does not identify the specific causes behind obesity levels in the islands, public health experts generally link rising obesity to reduced physical activity, increased consumption of calorie-dense foods, stress, changing work patterns and greater dependence on processed food.
The findings also underline the importance of lifestyle awareness at the community level. Regular physical activity, healthier eating habits, early screening for diabetes and blood pressure, and public education campaigns can play an important role in reducing long-term health risks.
The concern is not limited to individual health. A larger burden of obesity-related disease can affect families, productivity and public health spending. In smaller and geographically dispersed communities, early prevention is often more effective than late-stage treatment.
For policymakers, NFHS-6 offers a useful snapshot of where the islands stand today. The data can help guide future interventions in schools, workplaces, community health centres and primary care facilities.
With 30.7 percent of women and 27.3 percent of men aged 15-49 years classified as overweight or obese, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands now face a health challenge that will require sustained attention. The latest NFHS-6 findings make it clear that obesity is no longer a marginal concern, but an emerging public health issue in the islands.
