Representative image 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. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: US pounds Iranian missile sites near key Strait of Hormuz; Iran rains down cluster bombs on Tel AvivUAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain announces official start date of Eid Al Fitr 2026‘Trust completely shattered’: Saudi Arabia warns Iran of military retaliation after wave of Gulf attacksIt 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.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Urgent Need For De-Escalation’: PM Modi Speaks To French President Macron On West Asia ConflictMEA Receives Consular Access Request After Arrest Of Six Ukrainians By NIA’Condemnable’: PM Modi Dials Jordan’s King, Slams Attacks On Energy Infra In West Asia’Including Russia’: MEA’s Key Message On India’s LPG, Crude Oil Sourcing Amid Global Energy Crisis’Clandestine Nuclear Nonproliferation’: India Reacts To US Intel Chief’s Remarks On Pakistan’Concerning, But No Shortage’: Centre On LPG Situation, Warns Against Hoarding & Black MarketingSC Flags “Very Unusual” Situation, Seeks Remedy Over Mamata ‘Obstructing’ ED ChargeWar, Oil & Economy: Big Risks Ahead for India Explained’India Doing The Right Thing’: Congress Backs Modi Govt On Iran War, Tewari Says ‘Not Our War’Karti Chidambaram on TN Polls: ‘Stalin Way Ahead, Vijay’s Star Power Not Enough, BJP Has No Ground’123PhotostoriesEid 2026: How to make classic Hyderabadi Haleem at home for the celebrationWhat do atronauts eat? 8 categories of space food designed to keep them healthyThe ‘wall up’ test: A simple daily check to detect hidden back pain, posture issues, and protect your spine healthEid AI photo editing prompts: Google Gemini AI prompts for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 celebrations on Instagram, WhatsApp status, and FacebookRedditor skips dinner on first meeting after woman arrives an hour late: 5 etiquettes to follow when on a date6 animals that survive without drinking water and how they do it5 dreamy places in India that resemble European destinationsFrom having no contact with ex-CEO of Astronomer Andy Byron to struggling for a job: 5 big revelations by Kristin Cabot- the Coldplay Kiss Cam scandal womanYour heart after 30: Hidden changes that raise disease risk, and simple lifestyle fixes to protect it early9 must-try Rice desserts from different corners of the world123Hot PicksChina oil tankersMPsfarewellIran war newsGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingFortnite chapter 7eid al fitr 2026Green Card HoldersPeter ThielQatar missile fireNSA Doval US envoy talksDeve GowdaRajya Sabha MP farewellChina oil tankersCM Devendra Fadnavis
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.
