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While the country’s overall well-being score remains unchanged for the fourth consecutive year, evidence of deteriorating metabolic health – particularly among young adults and urban groups – indicates a growing national challenge.
ICICI Lombard’s 8th India Wellness Index, Hinduja Foundation’s Impact Report on Type 1 Diabetes Initiative (T1DI), and new diagnostic data from Mahajan Imaging & Labs collectively paint a picture of a population battling lifestyle and metabolic diseases. Together, they show how diabetes is spreading rapidly, emerging early in life, and calling for more integrated, preventive health solutions.
India’s wellness score stable, but diabetes rises to 17%
The India Wellness Index study 2025 released by ICICI Lombard shows that 17% Indians now complain of diabetes, placing it among the top five lifestyle diseases after stress, joint pain and high blood pressure. Conducted with Kantar among 2,000 respondents across 19 urban centres, the report measures well-being across six dimensions – physical, mental, family, social, financial and workplace well-being.
Despite stable national well-being (score 72 for the fourth year running), chronic conditions are impairing individual health. People without diabetes or heart disease scored 79 points on the Wellness Index, while people with such conditions scored only 70, underscoring how metabolic disorders affect broader well-being.
The findings come at a time when lifestyle-related risks are rising rapidly across all age groups. One in three Indians report high daily stress, and 41% face chronic fatigue, both of which are linked to increased metabolic stress.
A generational divide: Gen Z the most vulnerable, Gen
One of the clearest messages from the study is the widening generational gap in well-being. Gen Z shows a decline in every health pillar – physical, mental, financial, workplace and social – reflecting the impact of irregular routines, increasing stress and low physical activity among young Indians, especially in tier-1 cities.
Women and Gen Women score higher in physical fitness, financial literacy, workplace balance and family engagement – a result of increased health awareness and structured routines. Gen
Millennials are showing signs of improvement, largely due to better financial planning and adoption of health insurance and wellness benefits.
The regional divide persists: the North region continues to top the well-being score, while the West region lags behind, hit by low scores in metros like Mumbai and Pune.
Mental health indicators show mixed results. Indians report an average of 1.3 symptoms of depression, with fatigue and a pessimistic outlook being the most common. Vulnerability is highest among Millennials and corporate women, while Gen X and tier-1 cities appear relatively stable.
Corporate India under pressure: decline in physical and financial well-being
Corporate employees show significant gaps compared to the national average in physical, financial and mental well-being markers. Young employees and women in corporate roles are worst off.
The study also highlights a worrying behavioral trend: 73% of Indians believe a high-pressure environment impacts heart health, yet four in 10 regularly ignore symptoms and attribute them to normal stress. Two-thirds of Indians struggle with work-life balance, experiencing guilt, exhaustion and strained family relationships.
These findings reflect a broader workplace wellness challenge, where long working hours, high stress and poor recovery are contributing to early metabolic risks.
Diet paradox: 66% claim balanced diet but sugar and fat intake remains high
Nutritional habits remain inconsistent. Although 66% of Indians say they follow a balanced diet, most fail to cut down on sugar, salt or fat. Lack of time, low motivation and lack of awareness contribute to poor adherence. People who followed a truly balanced diet scored four points higher on the Wellness Index, pointing to a strong connection between food choices and overall well-being.
Fitness tracking emerges as a strong enabler, with users scoring approximately 20 points higher than non-users, highlighting the benefits of monitoring and behavioral suggestions.
Health insurance and welfare integration gained
The report emphasizes the growing role of health insurance in improving well-being. Individuals with health insurance score higher in financial and family well-being, and diabetics are increasingly proactive in securing coverage.
Consumers with pre-existing conditions are now demanding policies with critical illness benefits and pre-existing illness coverage, while those experiencing mental health symptoms are seeking mental health coverage and wellness integration.
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Commenting on the findings, Sheena Kapoor, Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications and CSR at ICICI Lombard, said, “The 2025 Wellness Index reminds us that India’s health story is changing faster than we anticipated. Younger cohorts, especially Gen Z, are feeling the impact of irregular routines and increased stress. In contrast, we see women and Gen Wellness in India increasingly rests on everyday discipline, not episodic awareness. The call to action is clear – move from reactive care to proactive living.
Type 1 diabetes initiative changed the lives of more than 1,000 children
Focusing on metabolic health, Hinduja Foundation celebrated World Diabetes Day by announcing the impact of its Type 1 Diabetes Initiative (T1DI), which has transformed the lives of over 1,000 underprivileged children in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai.
Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has:
, The number of hospitalizations decreased significantly,
, HbA1c levels improved from 10.4% to 7.8%,
, 20 Enabled the use of insulin pumps, including advanced automated delivery systems,
, Improve school attendance and participation in sports,
, Strengthened nutritional and emotional support for families.
India has the largest global population of children with T1D, with cases increasing by 6.7% annually, underscoring the urgency of this initiative.
“T1D is a lifelong journey of courage and hope,” said Raman Kalyankrishnan, CEO of Hinduja Foundation. “Through T1DI, we stand with every child, helping them manage, adapt and thrive.”
Diagnosis of early-onset diabetes on the rise among young adults
Mahajan Imaging & Labs has reported a significant increase in metabolic screening tests in adults under 40 with abnormal results:
, 38% fasting glucose test.
, 20% of HbA1c tests.
, 35% of postprandial glucose tests.
This trend highlights the emerging crisis of early insulin resistance, even among young people who appear physically healthy.
According to Padma Bhushan Dr Ambarish Mithal, President and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max Healthcare, India is at a “tipping point” where everyone aged 25 and above should undergo annual metabolic screening to detect risk factors early.
Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Founder and Chairman of Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said advanced diagnostics – from HOMA-IR to continuous glucose monitoring and body composition analysis – are enabling earlier detection of metabolic stress.
A clear national message: prevention must start early
Across all three reports, the consensus is unambiguous: diabetes in India is increasing across age groups, emerging earlier, and increasingly linked to lifestyle, stress, and inconsistent health behaviours.
As India celebrates World Diabetes Day 2025, the call for preventive care, early detection, balanced diet, regular diagnosis and mental well-being is louder than ever.
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