Chandigarh Obesity Crisis: Nearly Half of Men Overweight, NFHS-6 Reveals

Chandigarh's Obesity Crisis Worsens: Nearly Half of Men Overweight

Chandigarh is facing a severe obesity crisis, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) for 2023-24. The data reveals that 48.5% of men aged 15-49 in the city are overweight or obese, along with 41.9% of women in the same age group. These figures are nearly double the national averages of 27.3% for men and 30.7% for women, placing Chandigarh among the heaviest urban populations in India.

How Obesity Is Measured

Obesity is defined using Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. A BMI of 25 or above is considered overweight, and 30 or above is obese, according to the World Health Organization. For South Asians, many experts recommend a lower threshold of 23 due to higher risks of abdominal fat accumulation. For example, a person who is 5 feet 7 inches tall (170 cm) and weighs 73 kg has a BMI of 25.3, already in the overweight range.

Who Is Most at Risk

The obesity epidemic in Chandigarh disproportionately affects working-age adults in sedentary jobs, such as government employees, IT professionals, and service sector workers. Men aged 30-49 are particularly vulnerable due to high-calorie diets, frequent dining out, and alcohol consumption. Women in upper-income households, where physical activity has declined, and young adults aged 15-25, who consume ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, are also at high risk. The survey shows that only 7% of Chandigarh men have a below-normal BMI, compared to 19.7% nationally, indicating that undernutrition has largely been replaced by overnutrition.

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Why Is This Happening

Several factors are driving the crisis. Diet has transformed, with traditional Punjabi meals supplemented by processed and restaurant foods high in calories, oil, and sugar. Physical activity has collapsed due to car-centric urban design and desk-bound work, with most adults taking fewer than 2,000 steps daily. Chronic stress from work and financial pressures raises cortisol levels, promoting abdominal fat. Sleep deprivation, widespread due to late-night screen use, and high alcohol consumption further contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues.

Why This Matters

Obesity is a major driver of other health problems. The NFHS-6 data shows that one in six Chandigarh adults has high blood sugar, over 15% of women have hypertension, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in urban north India. The economic burden is substantial, with treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease costing tens of thousands of rupees annually per family. Working-age adults face risks of disability and early death, impacting household productivity.

How to Check Your Risk

Calculate your BMI by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For South Asians, a BMI above 23 is a warning. Measure waist circumference: for men, above 90 cm (35.4 inches) indicates high metabolic risk; for women, above 80 cm (31.5 inches). Get a basic blood panel including fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, and blood pressure. These tests cost under Rs 1,000 at diagnostic labs in Chandigarh.

What Needs to Be Done

At the individual level, replace refined carbohydrates with whole grains, walk 30 minutes daily, reduce portion sizes, and eliminate sugary drinks. Families should model healthy eating and daily movement. The healthcare system must integrate routine BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose screening into all outpatient visits. The Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation should expand cycling infrastructure, create safe walking routes, mandate physical activity in schools and workplaces, and regulate fast food and alcohol outlets near educational institutions. A non-communicable disease registry should be established for targeted interventions.

What Happens If Nothing Changes

Without action, Chandigarh risks following cities in East Asia, the Gulf, and Latin America that now spend a fifth of their health budgets on managing diabetes, kidney failure, and heart disease. The NFHS-6 data is a clear warning: the city is on a trajectory toward a severe health crisis. But it is not too late to reverse the trend through individual and collective action.

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Key Numbers to Know

BMI: Above 23 (warning), Above 25 (overweight), Above 30 (obese)
Waist (Men): Above 90 cm – high metabolic risk
Waist (Women): Above 80 cm – high metabolic risk
Fasting blood sugar: Above 100 mg/dl (pre-diabetic), Above 126 mg/dl (diabetic)
Blood pressure: Above 130/80 mmHg (elevated), Above 140/90 (hypertensive)