Mumbai: Every fourth urban Indian has elevated levels of cholesterol, every second one has insufficient vitamin D levels, and 8% are anaemic. This unhealthy snapshot of urban Indians emerged from a study analysing test results of 1.5 lakh people who underwent wellness checkups in various metro cities in 2024.
These results underline the fact that non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are chronic, have emerged as a public health challenge in India. Previous research studies established that one in every four Indians is at risk of dying from an NCD—be it cancer, stroke, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. Around 60% of deaths in the country can be attributed to NCDs, according to World Health Organisation.
The new findings, which are a part of the Agilus Diagnostics’ 2024 Wellness Study, also show that 27% of those studied had high readings of HbA1C — a blood test that measures amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin in red blood cells. Due to high sugar intake and increased consumption of processed food, Indians are at greater risk of NCDs if they also have low physical activity level.
According to Dr Deepak Sanghavi from Agilus Diagnostics, “The wellness study’s findings are a stark reminder of how urban lifestyles are impacting health. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can weaken immunity and cognitive function, while thyroid and lipid abnormalities often go unnoticed until they lead to more severe complications like metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular issues.”
Senior endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi from Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, concurred, stating that it’s now established that one in three Indians has diabetes and an equal number have dyslipidemia or elevated levels of cholesterol.
The medical thought on vitamin D has, however, changed, he said. “It’s now not advisable for all to take vitamin D supplements every year. Only those with a vitamin D of less than 10 nanograms per milliliter need to take it,” said Dr Joshi. Diet improvement should be adequate for those with a vitamin D count above 20, while corrective action is needed for those with a count between 10 and 20 if they have some symptoms of poor bone health or low immunity.
“Vitamin D levels among Indians are hit by a 3-tier effect: There is too much smog to allow sun rays to reach the ground, cities are concrete jungles that don’t allow sunshine indoors, Indians have higher levels of melanin which absorbs UV rays needed to synthesise vitamin D,” he said.
The way to beat NCDs, he said, is to maintain an appropriate diet, exercise, and sleep of seven hours a day.
