82% of Telangana and AP residents overweight or obese, 81% deficient in Vitamin D: Apollo survey

Hyderabad: A study across the country of over 2.5 million individuals held by Apollo Hospitals revealed concerning trends in both common and commonly overlooked conditions affecting millions of people.

28% of college students are overweight

‘Health of the Nation, 2025’, the fifth edition of the study, advised adopting preventive measures rather than waiting for symptoms to seek medical assistance. The study found that around 23 per cent of the assessed individuals were diabetic and 26 per cent were hypertensive despite showing no symptoms.

The study also revealed that around 65 per cent of those screened for fatty liver condition, 85 per cent were non-alcoholics, 28 per cent of college students were overweight or obese, 77 per cent of women and 82 per cent of men had Vitamin D deficiency, among other findings.

The results reveal the importance of preventive healthcare, which was once considered optional.

Challenges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

As far as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are concerned, 24 per cent of the residents were found to be hypertensive, 82 per cent were overweight or obese, while 81 per cent showed Vitamin D deficiency. Nearly 47 per cent were found to be Grade I fatty liver, while 27 per cent were anaemic.

Continuing epidemic of hypertension

The study screened approximately 4,50,000 individuals and revealed that 26 per cent were hypertensive, mostly without displaying any symptoms. Hypertension remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite being an important contributor to the cardiovascular disease burden in India.

The demand for standardised blood pressure monitoring protocols and public awareness campaigns to make BP check a part of daily life.

Heart disease in asymptomatic people

The advancements in medical imaging have exposed the quantum of undetected cardiovascular risk. Among individuals showing no symptoms who underwent coronary calcium scoring, 46 per cent had calcium deposits while 25 per cent showed obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), with 2.5 per cent being under 40 years of age.

Emerging mental health crisis

The study exposed the previously hidden scale of India’s mental health challenges.

Of 47,424 individuals screened for depression using the PHQ-9 scale, 7 per cent of women and 5 per cent of men showed signs of clinical depression, with the highest rates appearing in the 40-55 age group. This highlights the increasing prevalence and the persistent societal stigma hampering early intervention and treatment.

Threat of sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was identified in 53,000 individuals by the study.

With links to obesity, cardiovascular disease and chronic fatigue, OSA affects 33 per cent of men and 10 per cent of women. Risk levels increase with age of the individual, affecting 68 per cent of men and 22 per cent of women above 55 years. But OSA remains undiagnosed, with symptoms mistakenly associated with general fatigue or stress.

Cancer diagnosis at a younger age

Indians are diagnosed with cancer at much younger ages than the global averages. The median age for cervical cancer diagnosis was 49, breast cancer 57 and lung cancer 61, almost ten years earlier than international norms.

This implies the need for lowering the screening age and improving the awareness campaigns across both urban and rural populations.

Micronutrient deficiencies affecting health

As per the study, 45 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men nationwide were found to be anaemic due to micronutrient deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was even higher, impacting 77 per cent of women and 82 per cent of men.

Vitamin B12 deficiency was also high, affecting 38 per cent of men and 27 per cent of women overall, with higher rates among those under 40 years, with 49 per cent of men and 35 per cent of women being affected. Such deficiencies can affect energy levels, cognitive function, and metabolic health.

The obesity epidemic is affecting health

Obesity continues to be the primary cause of numerous non-communicable diseases in India. The assessment found that 61 per cent of the tested individuals were obese, with 18 per cent being overweight. The total, 79 per cent, is considered a challenge to public health efforts.

Data-driven prevention

The utilisation of preventive health programs using AI-powered risk assessment and personalised interventions has shown good results. Among participants, 59 per cent of diabetics reduced their HbA1C levels, 51 per cent of hypertensive individuals lowered their blood pressure, and 47 per cent of overweight participants achieved weight loss.

Dr. Suneeta Reddy, managing director, Apollo Hospitals, said, “The Health of the Nation Report reaffirms that the future of healthcare is early, data-led, and personalised. When 66 per cent of people screened have fatty liver, 85 per cent of them being non-alcoholic, it signals the urgency for new diagnostics and early detection at scale. Traditional screening is no longer enough.”