Sick of Our Choices: The Alarming Rise of Lifestyle-Related Diseases in India

A dramatic rise in lifestyle-related diseases in India has become a very big public health threat. Lifestyle-related diseases rise and put a tremendous burden on the healthcare system, the major bulk being noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, hypertension, and fatty liver. It becomes critical for the allied healthcare professionals, aspirants, and the general public to understand NCDs to effectively address their prevention and management.

Silent Epidemics of Lifestyle Diseases

Recent findings in Health of the Nation 2025 shed light on a silent epidemic of lifestyle diseases sweeping across India. Fatty liver is seen in 65% of those screened, of which 85% have been proven to be of non-alcoholic origin, lifestyle being implicated as the main cause. Silent heart risk was observed in 46% of the asymptomatic, with a marked increase in diabetes from 14% to 40% and obesity from 76% to 86% in post-menopausal women. Childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiency, with respect to 28% of college students and more than 75% of adults, continues to thrive.

Diabetes: Growing Burden for India

India is famously referred to as the diabetes capital of the world; there are more than 77 million people currently suffering from diabetes. This number is predicted to rise to about 134 million by 2045. Prevalence of diabetes was 7.1% in 2009 and became higher at 8.9% in 2019, with urban areas having much higher prevalence (11.2%) as compared to rural areas (5.2%). The other striking feature is a huge percentage of adults with prediabetes, putting them at a very high risk for developing diabetes at any moment. Alarmingly, almost 57% of adults with diabetes still remain undiagnosed, which makes them quite vulnerable to delayed treatment and management.

Cardiovascular Diseases Lead Cause of Mortality

Due to cardiovascular disease, India has marked its name as the lead killer, accounting for almost 28% of all deaths. There exists a higher age-standardised CVD death rate in India than the global average, coinciding with ischaemic heart disease and stroke, which constitute over 80% of CVD deaths. Early manifestation of disease and high fatality were characteristic features of this epidemic, except that these features were more pronounced in those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who never really had access to optimal treatment. The years of life lost to CVD increased by 59% between 1990 and 2010, which offers a strong testament to the rising burden.

Factors for the Surge

The continuing and rising wave of lifestyle diseases is closely linked to rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary practices, and escalating stress. Poor dietary practices, including excessive processed food, sugar, and unhealthy fat intake, combined with the desultory lifestyle, contribute solidly to the cause. Tobacco consumption and less-than-adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables are much higher among the lower socioeconomic classes, worsening the health inequalities. On top of this, the landscape remains muddy with malnutrition-related deficiencies, including vitamin deficiencies and mental health issues such as depression.

The Effect on Healthcare Services

The rising occurrence of lifestyle diseases is imposing pressure on the less-than-adequate healthcare infrastructure of India. Chronic conditions require long-term management with costly treatment and regular monitoring, thus becoming a burden on both the private and public healthcare sectors. Timely and early diagnosis and intervention will contribute greatly to reducing morbidity and mortality. The NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aims to address this rising burden through the prevention, early detection, and management of diseases. 

Allied Health Professionals

Allied health professionals work very closely in combating lifestyle diseases. Their involvement in patient education, lifestyle counseling, screening, and rehabilitation, therefore, is critical to ensuring improved health outcomes. They serve as a link between the doctor and the patient in tandem with lifestyle modification and adherence to treatment plans. For aspirants, understanding the epidemiology and management of these diseases will help facilitate their contribution to the nation's healthcare objectives. 

Lifestyle-related diseases are a growing health concern in India, owing to changing lifestyles and urbanization. With diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity affecting millions, the demand for awareness, early diagnosis, and integrated healthcare approaches is becoming a necessity. Strengthening healthcare services and mobilizing allied health professionals will be pivotal for the management of this epidemic and improvement of the nation’s health.