NEW DELHI: India is among the top three countries globally with the highest number of children affected by excess weight, with about 41 million aged 5-19 living with high body mass index (BMI), including nearly 14 million with obesity, a new global report has found.The World Obesity Atlas 2026 shows India, along with China and the US, accounts for a large share of the global burden, showing the country now faces both undernutrition and rising obesity among children.This comes amid a sharp global increase in childhood obesity, which has risen from about 4% in 1975 to nearly 20% in recent years. For the first time, more children worldwide are expected to be living with obesity than underweight, marking a major shift in health trends. It also warned that while many countries have introduced measures to tackle childhood obesity, progress is not keeping pace with the scale of the problem, calling for stronger action on food regulation, physical activity and access to care.Experts said this is not just a matter of appearance, but a serious health concern. “Childhood obesity is rising due to an imbalance between diet and physical activity, with children consuming more calories and moving less. It is not a cosmetic issue, but a disease with long-term risks such as diabetes, heart disease and other lifestyle conditions,” said Dr Rajesh Khadgawat, professor at the AIIMS endocrinology department.The rise is being driven by easy access to calorie-dense foods, sugary drinks and ultra-processed products, along with declining physical activity and increasing screen time. Urban lifestyles, reduced outdoor play spaces and growing dependence on digital devices are further worsening the trend.The trend is also visible among younger children, with overweight rising even under five. Experts warned it often continues into adulthood, increasing long-term risks and adding to the future burden of non-communicable diseases.
