Silent Health Risks Rising Among India’s Young Population

A growing number of young Indians are showing early signs of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, often without visible symptoms, according to the latest Health of the Nation (HoN) 2026 report by Apollo Hospitals.

The report, based on over three million preventive health assessments conducted across the Apollo network, points to a concerning trend of “hidden” health risks. It found that one in five individuals under 30 is prediabetic, while more than half are obese and have abnormal cholesterol levels. Vitamin deficiencies are also widespread, with nearly 70 per cent lacking Vitamin D and about half showing low Vitamin B12 levels.

Screening carried out by the Apollo Shine Foundation among 20,164 students aged 17–25 revealed that nearly two-thirds had at least one underlying health risk. Among the working population, eight in 10 were overweight, nearly half had prediabetes or diabetes, and one in four was found to have high blood pressure.

Founder-chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, Prathap C Reddy, said the findings reflect a shift in the country’s health profile, with risk factors emerging earlier than before. He noted that health check-ups have traditionally been reactive, but the data show that many conditions develop silently, even before symptoms appear.

Doctors said the findings underline the need to move towards preventive healthcare, with a focus on early screening, regular monitoring, and sustained lifestyle changes to reduce the long-term burden of non-communicable diseases.