India ranks second with 41 mn children affected by obesity

India has emerged as one of the countries most affected by childhood obesity, ranking second globally with an estimated 41 million children aged 5-19 living with high Body Mass Index (BMI), according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026.

The report highlights that more than 200 million school-age children worldwide are living with overweight and obesity, with a significant concentration in just 10 countries. Among these, China, India, and the United States each have over 10 million children living with obesity, underlining the scale of the global health challenge.

While obesity prevalence rates remain higher in high-income countries, the Atlas notes that the largest absolute number of affected children now live in middle-income countries like India. This shift is largely driven by population size and changing lifestyle patterns.

The report identifies the Americas as having the highest prevalence of childhood obesity in 2025. However, the fastest rise is projected in the South-East Asia region including India between 2025 and 2040, followed by increases in the Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and African regions.

A major concern highlighted in the Atlas is the early health impact. By 2040, at least 120 million children aged 5-19 are expected to show early signs of chronic diseases linked to high BMI.

Health experts warn that childhood obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other non-communicable conditions, not just in adulthood but increasingly during adolescence. Many of these early symptoms often go unnoticed, delaying intervention.