Cardiometabolic Risk Across Urban India: A Review of Ethnic and Regional Disparities

Corresponding Author: Karishma Yasmin
Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha - 764020 Email: kyasmin_phd@cuo.ac.in

KEYWORDS Cardiometabolic risk, Urban Indian adults, Ethnic disparities, Regional variation, India, Odisha, Systematic review

ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, are rising sharply in India’s urban populations. However, the influence of ethnic and regional variation within these urban settings remains poorly understood. The objective of the present study is to systematically review the literature on ethnic and regional disparities in cardiometabolic risk among urban populations in India, with a particular emphasis on subnational variability, specifically in Odisha and Kalahandi districts.
Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and grey literature (WHO, ICMR) for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on urban Indian adults (≥ 18 years) with data stratified by ethnicity or region. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and AMSTAR-2. A narrative synthesis was conducted.
Results: Eight studies were included. CMD prevalence varied by state and district. Northern and western India exhibited higher CMD rates compared to the eastern regions. In Odisha, metabolic syndrome prevalence ranged from 24% to 33.5%, with a pronounced gender gap in central obesity and pre-metabolic syndrome. Findings from Kalahandi district revealed a substantial burden of early-stage CMD risk, especially among young urban adults.
Conclusion: Complex regional and ethnic factors shape cardiometabolic risk among urban Indian adults. Public health strategies must move beyond generalised models to adopt localised, culturally tailored interventions that address the specific needs of diverse urban populations.

Karishma Yasmin¹
¹Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha - 764020 Email: kyasmin_phd@cuo.ac.in

DOI-DS: 11.2025-14769258
DOI Link :: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2025-14769258/Frontier_Anthropology/2025/14/A3/KY

Frontier Anthropology, 2025, 14: 13-18
©Anthropological Society of Manipur

Review Article

Manuscript Timeline
Submitted: March 31, 2025
Accepted: November 14, 2025
Published: November 29, 2025