India Ranks Second Globally in Childhood High BMI Cases: World Obesity Atlas 2026

Childhood obesity in India has reached concerning levels, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026 released by the World Obesity Federation on World Obesity Day . The report estimates that in 2025 , nearly 15 million children aged 5–9 and over 26 million adolescents aged 10–19 in India were living with overweight or obesity. The findings underline a growing public health challenge and suggest that global initiatives aimed at reducing childhood obesity are not progressing as expected.

India Among Countries with Highest Childhood Obesity

The report indicates that more than 200 million children aged 5–19 worldwide with overweight or obesity are concentrated in just ten countries . India ranks second globally in the number of children with elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) .

China leads the list with around 62 million children with high BMI , including 33 million classified as obese . India follows with approximately 41 million children with high BMI , including 14 million obese children . The United States ranks third with about 27 million children with high BMI , of whom 13 million are obese .

Global Targets at Risk

The World Obesity Federation warned that the international goal of halving the increase in childhood obesity by 2025 is unlikely to be achieved. Although the target timeline has been extended to 2030 , many countries—including India—remain off track.

The report also projects that if current trends continue, the number of children worldwide living with overweight or obesity could reach 507 million by 2040 , increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and metabolic disorders.

Important Facts for Exams

• World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4 March .

• The World Obesity Atlas is published by the World Obesity Federation .

• Body Mass Index (BMI) is a standard indicator used to measure overweight and obesity.

• India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

The report identifies several factors contributing to rising obesity levels among children in India. Around 74% of adolescents aged 11–17 do not meet recommended physical activity levels. In addition, only 35.5% of school-age children receive school meals regularly, which may influence nutritional patterns.

Early-life nutrition also plays a role. Approximately 32.6% of infants aged one to five months experience sub-optimal breastfeeding practices. Dietary habits further contribute to the trend, with children aged 6–10 consuming sugary beverages averaging about 50 ml per day .

Among women aged 15–49 , around 13.4% have high BMI and 4.2% live with Type 2 diabetes , reflecting broader lifestyle and nutritional challenges. Experts recommend stronger public health interventions, including