Karnataka has witnessed a sharp rise in lifestyle-related diseases over the past decade, with diabetes, hypertension and obesity emerging as major public health concerns, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2023–24. The survey shows that diabetes among women increased from 3.2 percent in 2015–16 to 22.3 percent in 2023–24, while the prevalence among men rose from 3.7 percent to 26.1 percent during the same period. Hypertension has also increased significantly, affecting 25.1 percent of women and 28.2 percent of men, highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases across the state.

The survey also revealed a worrying increase in obesity, with the proportion of obese women rising from 23.3 percent to 41.2 percent, while obesity among men increased from 22.1 percent to 36.4 percent over the last eight years. Health experts attribute this trend to rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits and increasing consumption of processed foods rich in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats. Long working hours, stress, lack of physical activity, inadequate sleep and prolonged screen time have further contributed to the rising incidence of these chronic health conditions.

Medical experts have warned that uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and obesity significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease if left untreated. Several districts, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Tumakuru, Hassan, Kolar, Chikkamagaluru and Dharwad, have reported higher levels of lifestyle-related illnesses. The Karnataka government has been providing free screening for diabetes and high blood pressure, along with medicines for eligible patients, while doctors continue to stress the importance of regular health check-ups, medication adherence, balanced nutrition and daily physical activity to reduce the growing burden of these diseases across the state.