72% in South India Prioritise Balanced Diet, Bengaluru and Hyderabad Touch 75%

HYDERABAD: ManipalCigna Health Insurance has released South India-specific insights from its proprietary India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026 study. The multi-dimensional survey assesses self-reported wellbeing across five key parameters: Physical, Mental, Financial, Occupational, and Social health across 16 major urban centers, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Coimbatore.

Dietary Discipline and Wellbeing Metrics
While urban India recorded an overall health score of 65 out of 100, South India closely trailed with a score of 63. Across the country, physical health scored the highest at 68, whereas financial health emerged as the primary area of vulnerability, scoring the lowest at 62.

Key findings regarding dietary habits and mental health in the region include:

Nutrition Priority: 72% of respondents in South India prioritize a balanced diet among their top physical health goals, compared to 65% in the rest of India.

Tech Metro Leadership: Dietary focus peaked in tech hubs, with 75% of respondents in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad prioritizing nutritional choices.

Mental Wellbeing Gaps: Despite physical health discipline, mental health metrics revealed room for improvement—only 49% reported strong mental clarity, and just 47% felt confident in adapting to sudden life changes.

The “Wellbeing Premium” of Health Insurance
The study highlights health insurance ownership as a critical predictor of overall individual health. Insured urban Indians scored 68/100 on the IHQ index, whereas uninsured individuals scored 62/100.

This 6-point “Wellbeing Premium” remained consistent across age groups, genders, stress levels, and regional demographics. Notably, this insurance-linked gap exceeds the gender gap (men and women both scored 65/100) as well as the regional variance between major metros like Mumbai (62/100) and Bengaluru (63/100).

Industry Perspectives
Reflecting on the study’s implications for healthcare planning, Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer at ManipalCigna Health Insurance, stated:

“The India Health Quotient asks a simple question: how does India actually feel? It shows that health is multi-dimensional, with people balancing physical, mental, financial, and work and social wellbeing. South India stands out for its focus on healthy eating, with 72% prioritizing a balanced diet, rising to 75% in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. However, this physical discipline does not fully offset everyday pressures. Across regions, we also see that health insurance ownership helps narrow wellbeing gaps, reinforcing that protection is an important part of overall wellbeing.”

As healthcare needs evolve alongside medical inflation, expanding financial protection and health insurance coverage remains vital for supporting urban India’s holistic wellbeing goals.