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Rachel V Thomas

Childhood Obesity In India To Surge To 56 Million By 2040, Says Global Report

<span>Childhood obesity</span> in India is expected to surge to a whopping 56 million by 2040 -- nearly a 20 percent rise from 2025, according to an alarming new global report released today by the <span>World Obesity Federation</span>. 

The World <span>Obesity</span> Atlas 2026, released on <span>World Obesity Day</span> -- observed globally on March 4 -- revealed that of the 56 million, about 20 million children in the country will be obese, while the remaining will be <span>overweight</span>. 

Globally, the number of children aged 5-19 years living with obesity or overweight is predicted to increase to 507 million by 2040 -- from 419 million in 2025.

<h2>Overweight Children: India Second-Highest Globally In 2025 </h2>

Among children aged 5-9 years, 14.921 million were overweight or obese in 2025

In children aged 10-19 years, more than 26.402 million were overweight or obese. 

India was among the top 10 countries -- second after China -- that accounted for over 200 million school-age children, aged 5-19 years, with high Body Mass Index (<span>BMI</span>). 

Between 2010 and 2025, India had a 4.8 percent increase in the prevalence of high BMI and obesity among children aged 5-19 years.

"The increase in <span>childhood</span> obesity worldwide shows we have failed to take seriously a disease that affects one in five children," said Johanna Ralston, chief executive at the World Obesity Federation. 

"Governments urgently need to step up prevention and management efforts for children living with overweight and obesity, and ensure that they receive the care they need," Ralston added.

<h2>High BMI To Surge Chronic Disease By 2040 In India</h2>

By 2040, the report also projected a substantial increase in the risk of diseases among children aged 5-19 years due to a high BMI in India. This includes: 

<ul><li>Hypertension (high blood pressure) expected to spike by 4.21 million from 2.99 million </li><li>hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) to 1.91 million from 1.39 million </li><li>high triglycerides (excess fats in the blood) to 6.07 million from 4.39 million </li><li>metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to 11.88 million from 8.39 million</li></ul>

The key preventable risk factors in the country include: 

<ul><li>74 percent of adolescents aged 11-17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels </li><li>Only 35.5 percent of school-age children (primary and secondary) receive school meals </li><li>32.6 percent of infants aged 1-5 months experience sub-optimal breastfeeding </li><li>13.4 percent of women aged 15-49 are exposed to high BMI </li><li>4.2 percent of women aged 15-49 live with Type 2 diabetes </li><li>Children aged 6-10 consume an average of 0-50 ml of sugary drinks per day </li></ul> 

<h2>Obesity: A Global Health Concern </h2>

Globally, the number of school-age children living with obesity now exceeds those living underweight. 

Currently, more than one in five (20.7 per cent) 5-19 year-olds worldwide are living with obesity and overweight -- an increase from 14.6 per cent in 2010. 

In 2025, about 177 million children aged 5-19 years were living with obesity. The number is expected to jump to 228 million in 2040. 

By 2040, the Atlas also predicts that 227 million children aged 5-19 years will be living with obesity compared to 142 million living with underweight. 

Notably, most of the world’s school-age children aged 5-19 living with obesity reside in the middle-income countries. By 2040, this is estimated to be as many as 169 million children. 

The World Obesity Federation called for strong action to reverse current trends. These include imposing:

<ul><li>taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages,</li><li>restrictions on marketing to children (including digital platforms), implementation of global physical activity recommendations for children, protection of breastfeeding, </li><li>healthier school food standards, </li><li>integration of prevention and care into primary health systems.</li></ul>

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Childhood obesity in India is expected to surge to a whopping 56 million by 2040 -- nearly a 20 percent rise from 2025, according to an alarming new global report released today by the World Obesity Federation.  The World Obesity Atlas 2026, released on World Obesity Day -- observed globally on March 4 -- revealed that of the 56 million, about 20 million children in the country will be obese, while the remaining will be overweight. Globally, the number of children aged 5-19 years living with obesity or overweight is predicted to increase to 507 million by 2040 -- from 419 million in 2025.Overweight Children: India Second-Highest Globally In 2025  Among children aged 5-9 years, 14.921 million were overweight or obese in 2025In children aged 10-19 years, more than 26.402 million were overweight or obese.  India was among the top 10 countries -- second after China -- that accounted for over 200 million school-age children, aged 5-19 years, with high Body Mass Index (BMI). Between 2010 and 2025, India had a 4.8 percent increase in the prevalence of high BMI and obesity among children aged 5-19 years. "The increase in childhood obesity worldwide shows we have failed to take seriously a disease that affects one in five children," said Johanna Ralston, chief executive at the World Obesity Federation. "Governments urgently need to step up prevention and management efforts for children living with overweight and obesity, and ensure that they receive the care they need," Ralston added.High BMI To Surge Chronic Disease By 2040 In IndiaBy 2040, the report also projected a substantial increase in the risk of diseases among children aged 5-19 years due to a high BMI in India. This includes:  Hypertension (high blood pressure) expected to spike by 4.21 million from 2.99 million hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) to 1.91 million from 1.39 million high triglycerides (excess fats in the blood) to 6.07 million from 4.39 million metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) to 11.88 million from 8.39 millionThe key preventable risk factors in the country include:  74 percent of adolescents aged 11-17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels Only 35.5 percent of school-age children (primary and secondary) receive school meals 32.6 percent of infants aged 1-5 months experience sub-optimal breastfeeding 13.4 percent of women aged 15-49 are exposed to high BMI 4.2 percent of women aged 15-49 live with Type 2 diabetes Children aged 6-10 consume an average of 0-50 ml of sugary drinks per day  Obesity: A Global Health Concern  Globally, the number of school-age children living with obesity now exceeds those living underweight.  Currently, more than one in five (20.7 per cent) 5-19 year-olds worldwide are living with obesity and overweight -- an increase from 14.6 per cent in 2010.  In 2025, about 177 million children aged 5-19 years were living with obesity. The number is expected to jump to 228 million in 2040.  By 2040, the Atlas also predicts that 227 million children aged 5-19 years will be living with obesity compared to 142 million living with underweight.  Notably, most of the world’s school-age children aged 5-19 living with obesity reside in the middle-income countries. By 2040, this is estimated to be as many as 169 million children.  Call To Action  The World Obesity Federation called for strong action to reverse current trends. These include imposing:taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages,restrictions on marketing to children (including digital platforms), implementation of global physical activity recommendations for children, protection of breastfeeding, healthier school food standards, integration of prevention and care into primary health systems.

childhood obesity in india to surge to 56 million by 2040, says global report

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Childhood Obesity In India To Surge To 56 Million By 2040, Says Global Report

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