Nearly one in two adults in Andhra Pradesh overweight, says Health Minister

The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing and is posing a serious public health challenge in the State, Minister for Health, Medical and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav has said.

Speaking at a State-level multi-stakeholder conference on obesity and metabolic health, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Vijayawada on Thursday (August 13, 2026), the Minister said a joint task force, comprising officials from the departments of Health, Education, Sports, and Women and Child Welfare, would be set up to address the issue.

The Minister said changing lifestyles, reduced physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, work-related stress and increased screen time were major contributors to obesity.

He cited the National Family Health Survey-6 as saying that 47.9% of women and 44.4% of men in Andhra Pradesh were overweight, meaning nearly one in every two people was affected.

He said an action plan would be prepared based on the recommendations from the conference, and that these would be submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The government was also strengthening the Food Safety Department to ensure access to quality food.

Special attention was being given to children through the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, including monitoring height and weight and identifying metabolic problems at an early stage, he added.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu said there was a need to reduce screen dependence, promote physical activity, consume natural foods, and limit oil, salt and sugar. He said the department was shifting its focus from treatment to prevention and overall health.