One in three Indian women now overweight or obese, NFHS data shows; experts urge pre-conception care

Nearly one in three Indian women aged 15-49 years is now overweight or obese, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) released by the Union government. The data, for 2023-24, shows that 30.7% of women in this age group are overweight or obese, up from 24% in the previous survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21). Among men in the same age group, the proportion rose from 22.9% to 27.3% over the same period.

Health experts say this rising trend in lifestyle-related disorders is drawing greater attention to the importance of health before conception. Doctors and health practitioners are increasingly focusing on the pre-pregnancy period, arguing that identifying and addressing health risks in both prospective parents could significantly improve reproductive and pregnancy outcomes.

“The concept is not new to Ayurveda,” said Mamatha K.V., principal and senior obstetrician at SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital in Udupi, Karnataka. She explained that Ayurveda has long described garbhadana samskara, a pre-conception regimen aimed at preparing prospective parents physically and mentally before conception. The hospital has been offering this approach as a structured programme, providing pre-conception counselling and care to couples from different parts of south India.

Describing the approach as “conscious preparation for conception,” Dr. Mamatha said the process involves a comprehensive assessment of both partners' health, along with guidance on diet, lifestyle, and other factors that may influence reproductive health. Pre-conception consultations offer an opportunity to identify risks, review medications, address nutritional deficiencies, and encourage healthier lifestyles before pregnancy.

In Ayurvedic practice, conception is understood through four factors: ritu (the appropriate fertile period), kshetra (a healthy reproductive tract), beeja (healthy sperm and ovum), and ambu (adequate nourishment). “Interventions are tailored around these factors, with dietary and lifestyle changes and, where considered appropriate, traditional therapies,” said Shreyashri Suvarna, a physician at the hospital. She added that traditional interventions need to be individualised and clinically supervised.

The latest NFHS data underscore a broader public health concern. Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for complications during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, hypertension, and delivery-related issues. They also affect fertility in both women and men. The shift towards pre-conception care aims to address these risks before pregnancy begins, potentially reducing the burden on mothers and children.

Experts stress that while traditional systems like Ayurveda offer valuable frameworks, modern medical supervision is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness. As obesity rates continue to rise, integrating pre-conception health checks into routine primary care could help reverse the trend and improve maternal and child health outcomes across the country.