An Indian digital healthcare platform, MediBuddy, has released new data revealing a worrying rise in metabolic and lifestyle-related health risks among professionals aged 30 to 40. The study indicates that obesity, cholesterol imbalance, and early signs of diabetes are becoming increasingly common in this age group, suggesting that lifestyle diseases are setting in much earlier than expected.
The analysis, based on data from 14,192 individuals, found that 59 per cent were obese and 19 per cent overweight, showing a high body mass index (BMI) burden. Lipid irregularities were also widespread — 38 per cent had borderline or high triglycerides, 30 per cent recorded elevated total cholesterol, and 45 per cent had low HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Additionally, one in four participants were pre-diabetic, and 7 per cent were diabetic, with a smaller percentage already displaying signs of high blood pressure.
When compared with national averages — where obesity prevalence stands at 28.6 per cent and diabetes at 11.4 per cent (ICMR–INDIAB 2021) — the findings highlight a concerning early onset of metabolic risks among urban professionals. The overlap of obesity, cholesterol, and glucose imbalances points to the growing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that elevate the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
“This trend is particularly concerning because it appears during the phase of highest productivity, when individuals should ideally be at their healthiest,” said Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, head-medical operations, MediBuddy. “The data shows that lifestyle-related risks are emerging earlier than ever. Early screening, better nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress management can make a tangible difference. Corporate India has a major opportunity to drive this change through proactive wellness strategies.”
The report attributes these risks to long working hours, poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, and stress, compounded by easy access to processed foods. MediBuddy emphasised the urgent need for preventive healthcare, recommending annual metabolic screenings from the age of 25 to detect early warning signs.
As lifestyle-related diseases increasingly affect younger professionals, experts stress that early intervention, workplace wellness programmes, and sustained behavioural change are key to protecting both employee health and organisational productivity.
