More than 38 pc overweight: Lifestyle diseases on rise among women in Kerala

Thrissur: According to a Kerala Economic Review 2023 report, 38.1 per cent of women in the state are overweight. Meanwhile, 24 per cent of women are overweight at the national level. 

40 per cent of women living in cities and 36 per cent of women living in villages are reportedly overweight. In Kerala, several women weigh more than their partners. 

Women between the age group 15-49 were included in the survey.

Lack of physical activities has contributed to women gaining excessive weight, paving the way to other diseases.  

Interestingly, the number of underweight women in Kerala has also been increasing considerably. As per the report, 10.1  per cent of women in the state are underweight.

Concerns are being raised over the rising lifestyle diseases among women in the state on the basis of the findings in the national family health reports in the years 2015-16 and 2019-20. 

Stats suggest that the incidence of anemia among pregnant ladies has also shot up alarmingly. However, the situation is slightly better in Kerala when compared to the national average. 

While 24.8 per cent in the state are suffering from diabetes, 30 per cent of them are dealing with blood pressure issues as well.