World Obesity Atlas 2026 Warns of Rising Childhood Obesity in India

Childhood obesity in India has reached alarming levels, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026 released on March 4 to mark World Obesity Day. The report estimates that nearly 15 million children aged five to nine and over 26 million adolescents aged 10 to 19 in India were overweight or obese in 2025. The findings highlight a growing public health challenge and indicate that global efforts to curb childhood obesity are falling short of targets.

India Among Countries With Highest Childhood Obesity

The report, published by the World Obesity Federation, shows that more than 200 million school-age children worldwide aged five to 19 living with overweight or obesity are concentrated in just ten countries. India ranks second globally after China in the number of children with high Body Mass Index (BMI).

China leads with around 62 million children with high BMI and 33 million living with obesity. India follows with about 41 million children with high BMI, including 14 million classified as obese. The United States ranks third, with approximately 27 million children with high BMI and 13 million with obesity.

Global Targets to Reduce Obesity Likely to be Missed

The World Obesity Federation warned that the world is likely to miss the global target of halving the rise in childhood obesity by 2025. The deadline has now been extended to 2030, but most countries, including India, remain off track.

The report also projects that by 2040 the number of children globally living with overweight or obesity could reach 507 million. Such trends are expected to increase the burden of non-communicable diseases linked to obesity.

Important Facts for Exams

Important Facts for Exams

• World Obesity Day is observed globally on 4 March each year.
• The World Obesity Atlas is published by the World Obesity Federation.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used indicator to measure overweight and obesity.
• India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

The report highlights several risk factors contributing to rising obesity levels in India. Around 74 percent of adolescents aged 11 to 17 do not meet recommended physical activity levels. Only about 35.5 percent of school-age children receive school meals regularly. In addition, nearly 32.6 percent of infants aged one to five months experience sub-optimal breastfeeding.

Dietary patterns also play a role, with children aged six to ten consuming sugary drinks averaging around 50 millilitres per day. Among women aged 15 to 49, about 13.4 percent have high BMI and 4.2 percent live with Type 2 diabetes. Experts have called for stronger government action, including taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children.