SYLLABUS

GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Context: The World Obesity Atlas 2026 highlights a sharp rise in childhood obesity and overweight prevalence in India and across the globe and warns of major health risks if preventive measures are not strengthened.

More on the News

• The World Obesity Federation released the World Obesity Atlas 2026 on World Obesity Day.

• World Obesity Day, observed annually on March 4 and established in 2015 by the World Obesity Federation, aims to raise global awareness about obesity and promote collective solutions for its prevention and treatment.

• The report shows that India ranks second globally after China in the number of children with high Body Mass Index (BMI). 

• The report estimates that about 41 million children in India had high BMI, and around 14 million children were living with obesity in 2025.

• The study warns that the rapid increase in childhood obesity may lead to a significant rise in non-communicable diseases in the coming decades.

• The Report further adds that many countries, including India, remain off track in achieving the global target to halt the rise in childhood obesity by 2030. 

Key Findings of the Report

• India and Global Scenario: 

• Nearly 14.9 million children aged 5–9 years and more than 26 million children aged 10–19 years in India were overweight or obese in 2025. 
• India also ranks first within the World Health Organization South East Asia Region, with more than 45 million young people aged 0–19 living with overweight or obesity.
• China leads globally with about 62 million children having high BMI and 33 million living with obesity.  
• The United States ranks third with around 27 million children with high BMI and nearly 13 million living with obesity.
• Worldwide, the atlas found that more than one in five (20.7 per cent) in the 5-19 age group are living with obesity or are overweight, an increase of 14.6% since 2010.
• Over 200 million school-age children aged five to 19 living with overweight and obesity are concentrated in just 10 countries across the world.

• Health Risks and Future Projections: 

• Childhood obesity exposes young populations to serious health conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
• Estimates suggest that in this period, 20 million children in India will be living with obesity, and 56 million will be either overweight or living with obesity by 2040 if current trends continue.
• Cases of BMI-related hypertension among children are expected to increase from about 2.99 million in 2025 to around 4.21 million by 2040.
• Instances of hyperglycaemia may rise from about 1.39 million to nearly 1.91 million, and high triglycerides from 4.39 million to 6.07 million by 2040. 
• The number of children affected by metabolic dysfunction-associated¬ steatotic liver disease (MASLD) may grow from about 8.39 million to nearly 11.88 million by 2040.

                   Metabolically-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a common, often silent chronic liver condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver (>5% steatosis) associated with metabolic risk factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

• Causes and Risk Factors:

• Around 74% of adolescents aged 11–17 years fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
• Only 35.5% of school-age children receive school meals, which limits access to balanced nutrition.
• Regular consumption of sugary beverages among children aged 6–10 contributes to rising obesity risk.
• Nearly 32.6% of infants up to five months experience suboptimal breastfeeding.
• Among women aged 15–49 years, about 13.4% have high BMI and around 4.2% live with Type 2 diabetes, which increases intergenerational health risks. 

Suggested Policy Measures

• Governments need to strengthen preventive policies to address childhood obesity at an early stage.

• Fiscal measures such as taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages can help discourage unhealthy dietary habits.

• Restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food products to children should be implemented more strictly.

• Improved school nutrition standards and healthier food environments should be promoted across educational institutions.

• Early screening and treatment through primary healthcare systems can help reduce long term health risks. 

Source:
The Hindu
Indian Express