Prevalence of lifestyle diseases in Maharashtra: A comparison between NFHS-5 and NFHS-4 surveys

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle diseases are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of long duration and slow progression and are result of combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. NCDs kill approximately 41 million people (71% of global deaths) worldwide each year, which includes 14 million premature deaths aged between 30 and 70 years. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension in Maharashtra as per NFHS-4 (2015–16) and NFHS-5 survey (2019–20). METHODS: This study was based on the data from the fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) and fourth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) for the state of Maharashtra. NFHS-5 survey for Maharashtra was conducted from 19 June 2019 to 30 December 2019. RESULTS: Prevalence of Diabetes was observed as 12.4% among women and 13.6% among men, prevalence of hypertension was observed 23.1% among women and 24.4% among men and prevalence of increased Waist Hip ratio was seen 44.5% among women and 40.7% among men. CONCLUSION: It has been noted that the lifestyle diseases are on the rise as compared with the last decade. The policy makers should focus all these diseases as the need of the hour.