- Advertisement -According to recent studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), diabetes affects 16.4% of the urban population, compared with 8.9% in rural areas.
The prevalence of general obesity is also considerably higher in urban areas, with 39.6% of the urban population affected compared with 23.1% in rural areas.
Abdominal obesity affects 51.6% of the urban population, while the corresponding figure for rural areas is 33.5%.
Hypertension is another major health concern, affecting 40.7% of the urban population compared with 33% in rural areas.
Low HDL cholesterol is reported among 69.3% of the urban population and 65.6% of the rural population.
TNI Bureau: Diabetes, obesity and hypertension are emerging as major health concerns in India, with their prevalence significantly higher in urban areas than in rural regions, according to data shared by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Kumar Ray.
- Advertisement -
According to recent studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), diabetes affects 16.4% of the urban population, compared with 8.9% in rural areas.
The prevalence of general obesity is also considerably higher in urban areas, with 39.6% of the urban population affected compared with 23.1% in rural areas. Abdominal obesity affects 51.6% of the urban population, while the corresponding figure for rural areas is 33.5%.
Hypertension is another major health concern, affecting 40.7% of the urban population compared with 33% in rural areas.
The data also points to a high prevalence of cholesterol-related abnormalities. Low HDL cholesterol is reported among 69.3% of the urban population and 65.6% of the rural population. High LDL cholesterol is also identified as a significant health concern.
The Union Government is taking measures to address these growing non-communicable disease risks in coordination with State Governments, the Minister said.
Expressing concern over the situation, Dilip Kumar Ray said changing lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits were contributing to the rising incidence of various diseases. He noted that the growing disease burden was placing a significant financial burden on both families and the healthcare system.
Dilip Ray stressed the need to introduce awareness about disease prevention and healthy lifestyles at the school and college levels and called for wider public awareness campaigns.
He also emphasised the importance of regular physical exercise, yoga and pranayama, balanced nutrition and a healthy environment for promoting better health and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
MP said prevention should become a shared responsibility involving individuals, families, educational institutions and governments. He added that greater awareness and early action could help reduce the long-term health and economic burden of lifestyle-related diseases.
