A study conducted by Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH) Research Foundation in Coimbatore from 2015 to 2026 has found an alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD).
As per the study, obesity in the sample population rose from 43.1% in 2015-16 to 57.0% in 2025-26, with the burden climbing even higher among women (63.3%) and young adults aged 20–40 (61.4%). Hypertension and diabetes also showed a similar upward trajectory, stated the hospital, which published the study at the third international conference on Indian rural public health and non-communicable diseases that concluded here September 20.
According to the hospital, tracking the same individuals over the decade showed that nearly one in three healthy adults developed hypertension, more than one in two with normal blood sugar progressed to pre-diabetes or diabetes and one in three adults with pre-diabetes went on to develop full diabetes. As per the study, more than one in three healthy adults became obese, one in five developed early signs of arterial disease and more than one in four developed anaemia, the hospital stated.
Researchers also found widespread metabolic clustering, a co-occurrence of multiple risk factors such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated glucose and abnormal lipids. This was driving early, silent vascular damage, including coronary atherosclerosis detected in adults with no symptoms at all. Anaemia was also found alongside these risks, it said.
KMCH chairman Nalla G. Palaniswami asserted that the findings of the study will be helpful for the government for policy consideration and public health planning. He introduced Dr. Thavamani Devi Palaniswami Young Investigator Award to encourage young and enthusiastic investigators.
Published – September 21, 2026 05:57 pm IST
