One in Five Nepalis Over 30 Face Hypertension and Obesity

One in five Nepalis aged over 30 is living with both hypertension and obesity, according to a recent nationwide health survey conducted in Nepal, highlighting a growing dual burden of non-communicable diseases in the South Asian nation.

The findings, published by the Nepal Health Research Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population, are based on data collected from over 12,000 adults across all seven provinces during 2024 and early 2025. The survey measured blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, and collected self-reported data on diet, physical activity, and access to healthcare services.

Results showed that 20.3% of participants aged 30 and above met the clinical criteria for both hypertension — defined as systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher — and obesity, classified as a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater. The prevalence was slightly higher among women (21.7%) than men (18.9%) and increased significantly with age, reaching nearly one in three among those aged 60 and older.

Researchers noted that the co-occurrence of these two conditions substantially elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Dr. Anuja Sharma, lead epidemiologist on the study and senior researcher at the Nepal Health Research Council, emphasized that the findings reflect a broader transition in Nepal’s disease profile as urbanization, dietary shifts, and sedentary lifestyles reshape public health risks.

“We are seeing a rapid rise in conditions that were once considered predominantly urban or affluent-nation problems,” Dr. Sharma said. “Hypertension and obesity are no longer confined to specific demographics; they are now widespread across rural and urban populations, posing a serious challenge to our health system’s capacity for prevention and long-term care.”

The survey also revealed low rates of diagnosis and treatment among those affected. Only 45% of individuals with hypertension had been previously diagnosed by a healthcare provider, and of those, just over half were receiving treatment that brought their blood pressure under control. Similarly, fewer than 30% of obese participants reported having received professional advice on weight management in the past year.

Experts attribute the gap in care to limited access to screening services in rural areas, shortages of trained health workers, and low public awareness about the long-term risks of untreated hypertension and obesity. Traditional diets high in refined carbohydrates and salt, combined with declining physical activity due to motorized transport and sedentary work, are seen as key contributors to the trend.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Population has announced plans to expand its national screening program for non-communicable diseases, aiming to increase coverage in primary health posts and urban clinics by 2027. The initiative includes training community health volunteers to conduct basic blood pressure and weight measurements, coupled with counseling on lifestyle modification.

International health organizations have welcomed the survey as a critical step in evidence-based policymaking. The World Health Organization’s Nepal office noted that the data aligns with regional trends in South Asia, where rapid epidemiological transition is outpacing health system readiness. WHO officials urged Nepal to integrate hypertension and obesity screening into existing maternal and child health programs to maximize reach and efficiency.

While the study provides a robust snapshot of current health challenges, researchers acknowledged limitations, including reliance on self-reported data for lifestyle factors and a single-point measurement that may not capture fluctuations in blood pressure. They recommended longitudinal studies to track disease progression and evaluate the impact of upcoming interventions.

For now, the message from public health officials is clear: addressing the intertwined rise of hypertension and obesity requires coordinated action across healthcare, education, urban planning, and food policy. Without early detection and sustained lifestyle support, Nepal risks a surge in preventable chronic diseases that could strain its health infrastructure for decades to come.