76% Have 1 Or More Obese Persons In Their Close Network, Finds Survey

Last Updated:January 30, 2026, 16:11 IST

Citizens expect that Budget 2026 will make products/services related to healthy lifestyle affordable

By embedding dietary nudges directly into the infrastructure of the public health and education systems, the ministry aims to create visible, constant reminders of healthy choices. (Pixabay)

A total of 76% Indians surveyed have one or more obese individuals in their close network i.e. family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, according to a LocalCircles survey. Citizens expect that Budget 2026 will make products/services related to healthy lifestyle affordable.

The survey first asked, “How many individuals do you have in your close network (family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.,) including yourself who are obese?"

Out of 17,181 who responded to the question 12% stated that “10 or more" people in their family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc., are obese; 10% of respondents indicated “7-9" people; 20% of respondents indicated “4-6" people; 34% indicated “1-3" people; 22% of respondents, however, stated “no one is obese" and 2% of respondents did not give a clear answer.

56% have one or more obese individuals in their close network with other lifestyle diseases

Given the likelihood of obesity impacting the health of individuals, the survey asked, “Are most or all of the obese individuals in your close network (family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc.) including yourself having other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, high cholesterol/triglycerides, fatty lever etc.?"

Out of 16,024 who responded to the question 19% stated “Yes, all of them have one or more of these" health issues; 37% of respondents stated “Yes, most of them have one or more of these" health issues; 37% of respondents stated “No, some of them don’t have lifestyle diseases listed above and are just obese" while 7% of respondents did not give a clear answer.

64% have one or more obese individuals in their close network who attribute obesity to sedentary lifestyle, no exercise and fatty and/or ultra processed diet

The survey asked, “If you consider the obese individuals in your close network (family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc.,), what all can you attribute their obesity to?"

Some among the 17,309 respondents to the question indicated more than one reason with 64% attributing it to “sedentary lifestyle"; 64% attributing it to lack or “no exercise"; 68% attributing it to “fatty and/ or ultra processed food diet"; 27% attributing it to “underlying medical condition"; 4% to “alcohol consumption" and 23% attributing it to “other causes" not mentioned earlier.

The survey received over 50,000 responses from citizens located in 319 districts of India. 61% respondents were men while 39% respondents were women. 47% respondents were from tier 1, 26% from tier 2 and 27% respondents were from tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts.

The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.

LocalCircles, a Community Social Media platform, enables citizens and small businesses to escalate issues for policy and enforcement interventions and enables the Government to make policies that are citizen and small business centric.

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