Delhi-NCR study finds obesity, high BP risks appearing in 20s
A Delhi-NCR study found metabolic risks appearing from the 20s and worsening with age. The findings highlight hidden visceral fat, rising hypertension and the need for earlier screening.
India's metabolic health crisis may be unfolding much earlier than many realise. A new study conducted in Delhi-NCR has found that more than half of Millennials are overweight or obese, while nearly one in two adults aged 45 and above are living with high blood pressure.
The findings come from the OneHealth Total Metabolic Wellness Study 2026, conducted by Pacific OneHealth among 4,000 people using mobile diagnostic screening technology across the region.
The study also found that one in four Gen Z participants under the age of 30 were already overweight, suggesting that the seeds of future heart disease and diabetes are being sown decades before symptoms appear.
KEY FINDINGS
- 23.6% of Gen Z participants were overweight.
- 55.7% of Millennials were overweight or obese.
- 46.9% of adults aged 45 and above had hypertension.
- 70.8% of Gen X+ participants had dangerous visceral fat.
- 176 people had normal BMI but hidden visceral fat.
RISKS BEGIN IN 20s
According to the study, 23.6% of Gen Z participants were overweight. Among Millennials aged 30 to 44 years, the prevalence more than doubled, with 55.7% classified as overweight or obese.
The burden shifted further in adults aged 45 years and above. Nearly 47% of Gen X and older participants had hypertension, while 70.8% carried excess visceral fat — the dangerous fat that surrounds internal organs and is linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Researchers also identified 176 individuals who had a normal body mass index (BMI) but high levels of visceral fat, a phenomenon often described as "skinny fat".
Dr. Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant and Director of Medicine at Pacific OneHealth, said the findings point to a failure of early detection rather than an inevitable consequence of ageing.
"The metabolic disruptions we see peaking in people over 45 did not begin at 45. They began in the 20s, were invisible to standard check-ups and compounded unchecked for two decades," he said.
"A BMI reading is not a clean bill of health. One hundred and seventy-six individuals in our screened cohort had normal BMI yet harboured high visceral fat — the single most dangerous metabolic precursor to cardiovascular disease," Dr. Wali added.
ANNUAL CHECK-UPs ARE NOT ENOUGH
The study found that average body fat nearly doubled from 14.5% in Gen Z to 27.3% in adults over 45 years. Blood pressure levels also rose sharply with age.
Researchers identified the 30-44 age group as the last major opportunity to intervene before cardiovascular risks become established.
Dr. Wali said India needs to move beyond conventional screening methods.
"We need multi-parameter metabolic screening in the community beginning in young adulthood as a clinical standard, not an optional wellness add-on," he said.
Dr. Swadeep Srivastava, Co-founder and President of Pacific OneHealth, said India has built strong systems to treat advanced diseases but has paid far less attention to prevention.
"This study is evidence of that gap. Four thousand data points reflect millions whose metabolic disruption is progressing silently," he said.
According to the researchers, structured metabolic screening and year-round wellness planning could help identify hidden risks and prevent the progression to diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses before they take hold.
India's metabolic health crisis may be unfolding much earlier than many realise. A new study conducted in Delhi-NCR has found that more than half of Millennials are overweight or obese, while nearly one in two adults aged 45 and above are living with high blood pressure.
The findings come from the OneHealth Total Metabolic Wellness Study 2026, conducted by Pacific OneHealth among 4,000 people using mobile diagnostic screening technology across the region.
The study also found that one in four Gen Z participants under the age of 30 were already overweight, suggesting that the seeds of future heart disease and diabetes are being sown decades before symptoms appear.
KEY FINDINGS
- 23.6% of Gen Z participants were overweight.
- 55.7% of Millennials were overweight or obese.
- 46.9% of adults aged 45 and above had hypertension.
- 70.8% of Gen X+ participants had dangerous visceral fat.
- 176 people had normal BMI but hidden visceral fat.
RISKS BEGIN IN 20s
According to the study, 23.6% of Gen Z participants were overweight. Among Millennials aged 30 to 44 years, the prevalence more than doubled, with 55.7% classified as overweight or obese.
The burden shifted further in adults aged 45 years and above. Nearly 47% of Gen X and older participants had hypertension, while 70.8% carried excess visceral fat — the dangerous fat that surrounds internal organs and is linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Researchers also identified 176 individuals who had a normal body mass index (BMI) but high levels of visceral fat, a phenomenon often described as "skinny fat".
Dr. Mohsin Wali, Senior Consultant and Director of Medicine at Pacific OneHealth, said the findings point to a failure of early detection rather than an inevitable consequence of ageing.
"The metabolic disruptions we see peaking in people over 45 did not begin at 45. They began in the 20s, were invisible to standard check-ups and compounded unchecked for two decades," he said.
"A BMI reading is not a clean bill of health. One hundred and seventy-six individuals in our screened cohort had normal BMI yet harboured high visceral fat — the single most dangerous metabolic precursor to cardiovascular disease," Dr. Wali added.
ANNUAL CHECK-UPs ARE NOT ENOUGH
The study found that average body fat nearly doubled from 14.5% in Gen Z to 27.3% in adults over 45 years. Blood pressure levels also rose sharply with age.
Researchers identified the 30-44 age group as the last major opportunity to intervene before cardiovascular risks become established.
Dr. Wali said India needs to move beyond conventional screening methods.
"We need multi-parameter metabolic screening in the community beginning in young adulthood as a clinical standard, not an optional wellness add-on," he said.
Dr. Swadeep Srivastava, Co-founder and President of Pacific OneHealth, said India has built strong systems to treat advanced diseases but has paid far less attention to prevention.
"This study is evidence of that gap. Four thousand data points reflect millions whose metabolic disruption is progressing silently," he said.
According to the researchers, structured metabolic screening and year-round wellness planning could help identify hidden risks and prevent the progression to diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses before they take hold.
