At 13.6%, Chandigarh among top cities in obesity: Experts at Mid-ESICON 2025

Chandigarh has one of the highest obesity prevalence rates in India at 13.6 per cent, surpassing the national average of 11.8 per cent. Experts at the Mid-term ESICON 2025 conclave held on Saturday expressed serious concerns about the region becoming both the obesity and diabetes capital of the country.

Hosted by the Endocrine Society of India (ESI) at Hotel Hyatt Regency, the conclave brought together nearly 400 physicians and 145 leading endocrinologists from across the country. The discussions focused on diabetes, obesity, and the impact of environmental factors on metabolic health.

Dr Sachin Mittal, organising secretary of Mid-term ESICON, cited Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data showing Chandigarh’s adult obesity rate at 13.6 per cent. He also noted that the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) found that 32 per cent of men and 42 per cent of women aged 15-49 in Tricity are classified as obese — the highest across 26 Indian states and Union Territories.

Lt Gen (Dr) Narendra Kotwal, president of ESI and the event's organising chairperson, highlighted the dangers posed by endocrine disruptors such as plastics and stressed the urgent need for lifestyle changes. “Metabolic health is intricately tied to our environment. We must eat less, walk more, smile more, and live in the present, while also making conscious efforts to protect our environment.”

Dr Sanjay Kumar Bhadada, current head of PGIMER’s endocrinology department, lamented Tricity’s unenviable status as the leading hub of diabetes in the country, with some studies showing a prevalence almost double the national average — and up to 26.9 per cent among the urban poor.

Dr Dharminder Nagar, managing director of Paras Health and chief guest at the event, called for a shift toward holistic treatment approaches. “Endocrinologists must look beyond numbers and lab reports to the broader picture of patient wellbeing,” he said.

The conclave featured 15 parallel sessions on key topics including diabesity — a modern epidemic, which indicates the coexistence of both diabetes and obesity, cardio-renal-metabolic health, thyroid disorders, and endocrinology in pregnancy and adolescence. Among the prominent speakers were Dr Nikhil Tandon (AIIMS), Dr Pinaki Dutta, Dr Ganpathi Bantwal, and Dr Muralidharan.

Earlier in the day, a walkathon at Sukhna Lake was flagged off by Dr Kotwal to raise awareness about environmental impact on human health, especially the role of plastics and pollutants in endocrine disruption. Doctors from across the country, along with local residents, participated in the initiative.

The event also saw the release of the Year Book of Endocrine Society of India, authored by Dr Gagan Preet.

Rising obesity across age groups in Chandigarh

Multiple studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlight a troubling trend of rising obesity in Chandigarh. Among schoolchildren aged 10 to 14, one study reported that 9.9 per cent were overweight, while 14 per cent were classified as obese. Another survey focusing on women aged 15 to 49 found that 42 per cent fell into the obese category. Furthermore, findings from the 2022 Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) revealed that approximately 56 per cent of Chandigarh residents aged 45 and above are either overweight or obese.