Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. While fitness tips, videos, and quick solutions dominate our screens, it is essential to pause and confront the reality of where we truly stand. In India, this reality is particularly concerning: childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate, threatening the health of crores of young people. 

UNICEF has issued a stark warning that, if urgent action is not taken, India could have the highest number of overweight and obese children in the world within the next decade. According to the organisation, more than 2.7 crore children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years in India are projected to be living with obesity by 2030, accounting for 11 per cent of the global burden.  

National data mirrors this worrying trend. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019–21) reported that 24 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men are overweight or obese, while 3.4 per cent of children under five were overweight. The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Non-Communicable Diseases Monitoring Survey (2017–18) revealed that obesity prevalence among adults aged 18–69 years was 6.2 per cent.  

Also, the UNICEF Child Nutrition Global Report 2025 notes that the percentage of children under five who are overweight has doubled in the past 12 years, from 2 per cent in 2012 to 4 per cent in 2024, even as the global average held steady at 5 per cent. Obesity among school-going children (5 to 19 years of age)  has also seen a sharp increase from 0 per cent in 2000 to 3 per cent in 2022.  

Globally, the situation is equally alarming. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in eight people worldwide were living with obesity in 2022. Adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled. As of 2022, 250 crore adults were overweight, including 89 crore living with obesity. Among children, 3.5 crore under five were overweight, while over 39 crore children and adolescents aged 5–19 were overweight, including 16 crore living with obesity. 

The rapid rise of obesity, particularly among children and adolescents, is more than a set of statistics—it is a wake-up call. Beyond visible weight gain, obesity dramatically increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and joint problems, while also affecting mental health and overall quality of life. In India, NCDs account for 63 per cent of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases (27 per cent), chronic respiratory diseases (11 per cent), cancers (9 per cent),  diabetes (3 per cent), and obesity-related conditions (13 per cent) leading the toll. Many of these conditions are driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, while environmental factors like air pollution further exacerbate the risk.  

Addressing obesity and its underlying causes is therefore crucial—not just to improve individual health, but to reduce the broader public health burden of preventable diseases across the country. 

What is obesity and how is it measured?

The  WHO defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is classified as obese.  

However, BMI has limitations—it does not always capture excess fat or associated risks. Recognising this, Indian experts recently updated the country’s obesity guidelines after 15 years. 

The new framework, developed by experts from N-DOC, Fortis C-DOC Hospital, and AIIMS, introduces a two-stage classification system. Stage 1 obesity refers to individuals with increased BMI (over 23 kg/m²) without apparent health issues, while Stage 2 obesity involves abdominal adiposity, or the accumulation of body fat, and obesity-related health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or joint pain. The new guidelines emphasise abdominal fat due to its strong link with metabolic disorders. This refined definition acknowledges obesity as a chronic condition requiring more comprehensive diagnosis and management. 

What the UNICEF report says:

UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Global Report 2025 revealed that obesity has surpassed underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-aged children globally. In India, under-five overweight and obesity prevalence rose by 127 per cent between NFHS-3 (2005–06) and NFHS-5 (2019–21). “Similarly, adolescent girls and boys have seen an increase in overweight, obesity of 125 per cent (from 2.4 per cent to 5.4 per cent) and 288 per cent (from 1.7 per cent to 6.6 per cent) respectively,” according to UNICEF.  

In adults, the prevalence nearly doubled among women and more than doubled among men. UNICEF projects that by 2030, India will account for 11 per cent of the global child obesity burden.

Key drivers:

The report identifies key drivers: aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods, increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, low physical activity, and longer screen times. In addition, cultural and social norms, poor maternal nutrition, and dietary practices such as inadequate breastfeeding are worsening the crisis.  

But why is obesity rising in India?

The rapid rise in obesity in India can be attributed to multiple overlapping factors. A meta-analysis of 21 studies (2003–2023) covering nearly 1.9 lakh children found the prevalence of childhood obesity to be 8.4 per cent and overweight at 12.4 per cent. Boys were more vulnerable than girls. Children studying in private schools were at a higher risk compared to government school students, and those with working mothers or a family history of obesity faced greater risks. 

“Childhood obesity in India is a pressing public health concern. The study reveals regional and population variations in obesity prevalence and identifies genetic, behavioural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors as contributors,” it concluded. 

Lifestyle changes also play a significant role. Increasing junk food consumption, high screen time, and reduced physical activity have become defining patterns. One observational study found that 70 per cent of obese children consumed junk food more than three times a week, while over 90 per cent had screen time exceeding two hours daily. Urbanisation has led to unsafe neighbourhoods, fewer open spaces, and limited sports participation, further restricting physical activity. Socioeconomic changes, including higher disposable incomes and aggressive food marketing, are also fuelling this epidemic. 

Cultural factors—such as parental overfeeding, misconceptions about nutrition, and prioritising academics over sports—further worsen the situation. With obesity linked to depression and low self-esteem in children, the health crisis also carries psychological consequences. 

What can be done? 

To address the rising obesity crisis, the government has taken a multi-pronged approach. Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), screenings are conducted at more than 1.77 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs using the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) to identify overweight and obesity at an early stage. These centres also conduct yoga sessions, Health Melas, and awareness drives to promote healthier living. 

Cross-ministerial efforts such as Eat Right India, the Fit India Movement, and campaigns by the Ministry of AYUSH further encourage balanced diets and physical activity. Community platforms like Mahila Arogya Samitis, along with schools and peer educators, play a key role in spreading these messages at the grassroots level.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the urgency of tackling obesity, urging citizens to cut down on oil consumption. In his Mann ki Baat address, he suggested reducing edible oil purchases by 10 per cent each month as a practical lifestyle change.  

Dr Shilpa Khanna Arora, Professor of Pediatrics Department at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, highlighted that the roots of rising childhood obesity lie within households and changing lifestyles. “We are shifting more towards processed, junk, and high-sugar foods, while physical activity is steadily declining. Children spend more time on screens, face a heavier academic burden, and receive less encouragement to participate in sports both at home and in schools,” she said. 

She also pointed out that poor food labelling and aggressive advertising are compounding the problem. “Food products in India are not labelled the way they should be. Every item should clearly indicate calorie and nutrient content, or use a simple star rating system to show if it’s healthy, moderately harmful, or severely harmful. Advertising of processed foods, especially during children’s shows and prime-time slots, should also be restricted,” according to the doctor. 

According to her, genetic susceptibility combined with lower physical activity further increases the risk. Economic and social changes have also made unhealthy food more accessible. “A packet of chips, which was once a rarity, is now affordable for almost everyone. Parents, too, often prefer ordering out or eating outside on weekends, normalising it as a routine for their children,” she explained. 

The consequences, she warned, are not limited to physical health. Children with obesity are more prone to diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in later life. They also suffer psychologically, facing bullying, low self-esteem, and poor body image. 

“As far as intervention is concerned, it has to begin at the family level. Parents should act as role models, promote healthy eating, and encourage children to be physically active. Schools must make outdoor playtime mandatory, restrict junk food in canteens, and serve healthier meals. And most importantly, the government must regulate food labelling and advertising, while also promoting sports and physical education alongside academics,” Dr Arora emphasised. 

Also read: India targets obesity with visual alerts on junk food in public institutions