PATNA: Obesity is emerging as a significant public health concern in Bihar, cutting across age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, with doctors warning of a potential surge in lifestyle diseases if the trend continues unchecked.According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the proportion of overweight and obese individuals in Bihar has risen notably compared to NFHS-5, with urban areas showing a sharper uptick.Among women, the percentage of those overweight or obese increased from 16% in NFHS-5 to 19.8% in NFHS-6. The urban-rural divide remains stark, with 30.1% of women in cities falling in this category compared to 18.5% in rural areas.The rise is more marked among men. The proportion of overweight or obese men climbed from 14.7% in NFHS-5 to 19.4% in NFHS-6. In urban areas, 29.9% of men were found to be overweight or obese against 16.8% in rural regions.The trend has been consistent over time. In NFHS-4, 11.7% of women and 12.6% of men in Bihar were overweight or obese, indicating a steady increase across survey cycles.Health experts attribute this rise to sedentary lifestyles, increasing consumption of processed foods and changing dietary habits, particularly in urban areas. Though Bihar’s overall obesity levels remain below the national average.Dr Sanjeev Kumar, head of cardiothoracic surgery at AIIMS-Patna, said poor lifestyle choices and reduced physical activity were key factors driving the trend. “People in rural areas are still engaged in physical work such as farming, while urban populations largely have desk jobs and spend long hours sitting. Coupled with unhealthy eating habits, this is contributing to rising obesity,” he said.Highlighting the health risks, he said obesity has a direct impact on heart health. “Obesity and diabetes are closely linked and both increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Excess fat can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, causing blockages,” Dr Kumar added.City-based physician Dr Diwakar Tejaswi said, “Obesity is also fuelling an increase in hypertension, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. Central obesity, or the accumulation of fat around the abdomen, poses a major health risk. Belly fat is strongly linked to diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications.”He also flagged changing food habits in rural areas as a worrying trend. “Consumption of refined oil, flour and processed food like instant noodles is rising even in villages. This could widen the obesity problem in the coming years,” he added.Experts stressed the need for early intervention, including promoting physical activity, balanced diets and greater awareness, to prevent a larger public health challenge.
