80% of IT Professionals in Hyderabad's HiTech City Overweight

80% of IT professionals in Hyderabad’s HiTech City are overweight, Study finds

Listen to Story

Neelima Eaty 6 Mar 2025 8:16 PM

News in short:

A study by the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) Hospitals in Hyderabad revealed alarming obesity rates in the city, particularly among IT professionals and children. 80% of IT professionals in HiTech City are overweight due to long work hours, irregular eating habits, and lack of exercise. The study also found that 40% of children in government schools suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) linked to obesity and unhealthy diets. Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, founder chairman of AIG Hospitals, emphasized the urgent need to address the issue, warning of potential health complications and increasing healthcare costs associated with obesity. He stressed that obesity is a present crisis in India, with 60% of Indians overweight and 30% on the path to obesity. The study's findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and preventative measures to combat the growing obesity crisis, particularly among vulnerable populations like IT professionals and children.

Hyderabad: A recent study by the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) Hospitals revealed that 80% of IT professionals in Hyderabad’s HiTech City are overweight. The study attributes long work hours, irregular eating habits, and lack of exercise as key factors contributing to this alarming statistic.

The findings were presented during AIG Hospitals’ ‘Break the Weight’ initiative on World Obesity Day, where medical professionals and policymakers highlighted the urgent need for intervention. Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, founder chairman of AIG Hospitals, stressed the importance of addressing this issue. He noted that while 80% overweight is a significant concern, many people do not take it seriously, despite the potential health complications and the associated healthcare costs that could be avoided with better weight management.

In addition to the concerns about the IT workforce, the study also highlighted a worrying trend among children in Hyderabad. It found that 40% of children in government schools have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition linked to obesity and unhealthy diets. This highlights the growing impact of poor lifestyle choices on the younger population.

Hyderabad Metro logs 63.40 crore passengers in 7 years

Dr. Nageshwar Reddy pointed out that obesity is no longer a distant issue but a present crisis. He warned that if action is not taken soon, the burden on individual health and the healthcare system would become overwhelming. He also noted that obesity rates in India are rising rapidly, with 60% of Indians overweight and 30% on the path to obesity.

Majority of IT Professionals in Hyderabad Overweight

Hyderabad— A staggering 80% of IT employees in the Hi-Tech City area are overweight, reflecting a growing health concern. Nationwide, 60% of India’s population struggles with excess weight, with 30% classified as obese due to… pic.twitter.com/G0RlinhrRA

— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) March 5, 2025

Obesity worsens conditions affecting the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys, making it a pressing public health issue, according to Dr. Nageshwar Reddy. The study’s findings call for urgent measures to address the obesity crisis in both the IT workforce and the general population.