Nearly 50% of Indian women aged 35–49 are overweight or obese: Study warns of health fallout from menarche to menopause

Time of India

11-05-2025

Obesity is fast becoming a silent epidemic among Indian women, particularly in urban centres where lifestyle shifts, high-stress environments, and sedentary routines are driving alarming trends. A recent paper published in the Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, supported by the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction, draws attention to the disproportionately high burden of central obesity among South Asian women.Nearly 50% of Indian women aged 35–49 are now living with overweight or obesity, underscoring a rising public health concern in their reproductive years. It also noted that women aged 18–30 are showing increased vulnerability to obesity-related health risks at higher rates than men in the same age group, pointing to a crisis spanning generations.According to NFHS-5 data, 33.5% of urban women and 19.7% of rural women in India are living with obesity with lifestyle shifts, stress, and sedentary habits are fuelling this rise. The report emphasized the link between poor dietary patterns, reduced physical activity, and the growing incidence of metabolic disorders such as PCOS and gestational diabetes with 23.1% of women with obesity developing the latter during pregnancy, placing both mother and child at risk, with the offspring facing a higher likelihood of Neonatal ICU admission and long-term health issues. Even raising miscarriage risk in women with a BMI over 30 kg/m².Dr Nanditha Palshetkar, Medical Director, Bloom IVF Lilavati hospital, and Past President, FOGSI added, 'Addressing obesity in the reproductive years is not just about improving fertility, it's about preventing lifelong complications. By managing obesity early, ideally before conception, we can significantly improve fertility outcomes and reduce risks during pregnancy. Our aim is to help women make small, sustainable lifestyle changes, which can go a long way in protecting maternal, fetal and child health.'Dr. Piya Ballani Thakkar, Consultant Endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and metabolic disorders further noted, 'Obesity needs to be addressed differently at every stage of a woman's lifespan. For women with obesity planning to conceive, lifestyle modification is of paramount importance, with anti-obesity medications requiring discontinuation before conception. Weight gain during pregnancy should be monitored and tailored to BMI categories, while postpartum weight management should involve structured programs aiming for a weight loss of 0.5 kg/week. Breastfeeding should be encouraged, and anti-obesity medications may only be considered after cessation of breastfeeding. For peri-menopausal & post- menopausal women, evaluating muscle mass, bone health, and screening for metabolic disorders is crucial before implementing weight management strategies'.Encouragingly, a first-of-its-kind stepwise algorithm was designed for OBGs to assess and treat obesity in India women. The paper also highlights that even a modest 5–10% reduction in body weight can significantly improve the overall quality of life along with lifestyle changes including moderate daily exercise and a high-fiber, low-glycemic diet, remaining the cornerstone of treatment, supported by medication and in select cases, bariatric surgery.