On World Obesity Day (4 March), the World Obesity Federation released the second edition of the World Obesity Atlas 2026. The report highlights a worrying rise in childhood obesity worldwide, with India ranking second globally after China in the number of children who are overweight or living with obesity.
Researchers compiling data till 2025 estimate that India could have around 41 million children with high Body Mass Index (BMI) and 14 million children living with obesity.
Key Findings of World Obesity Atlas 2026
Global Obesity Situation
| Indicator | Data |
| Countries with highest number of obese children | China, India, United States |
| Children with overweight/obesity globally (5–19 yrs) | 20.7% of global children |
| Share in 2010 | 14.6% |
| Projected global cases by 2040 | 507 million children |
| Children showing early cardiovascular disease signs by 2040 | 57 million |
More than 200 million school-age children (5–19 years) living with overweight or obesity are concentrated in just 10 countries worldwide.
Top Countries (Children with High BMI)
| Country | Children with High BMI | Children with Obesity |
| China | 62 million | 33 million |
| India | 41 million | 14 million |
| United States | 27 million | 13 million |
India’s Ranking and Current Situation
India now ranks 2nd globally after China in the number of children living with overweight or obesity.
Current Estimates (2025)
| Age Group | Children Overweight or Obese |
| 5–9 years | ~14.9 million |
| 10–19 years | >26 million |
| Total children with high BMI | 41 million |
| Children living with obesity | 14 million |
India also has the highest number of affected children in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
Experts note that India’s large population size significantly contributes to these high numbers.
Future Projections for India (2025–2040)
The report predicts a substantial increase in obesity-related health risks among Indian children.
| Health Condition | Cases (2025) | Projected Cases (2040) |
| Hypertension linked to BMI | 2.99 million | 4.21 million |
| Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) | 1.39 million | 1.91 million |
| High triglycerides | 4.39 million | 6.07 million |
| MASLD (fatty liver disease) | 8.39 million | 11.88 million |
Overall projections:
| Indicator | Projection by 2040 |
| Children living with obesity | ~20 million |
| Children overweight or obese | ~56 million |
These trends suggest a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India.
Health Implications of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity increases the risk of several chronic diseases.
Major Health Risks
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic disorders
- Liver disease (MASLD)
Obesity in childhood also increases the likelihood of obesity in adulthood, leading to long-term health and economic consequences.
Key Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity
The report identifies several lifestyle and environmental factors driving obesity among children.
| Risk Factor | Data |
| Adolescents failing physical activity recommendations | 74% |
| School children receiving school meals | 35.5% |
| Infants experiencing sub-optimal breastfeeding | 32.6% |
| Sugary drink consumption (children 6–10 yrs) | Up to 50 ml daily |
Additional Risk Factors
- High consumption of processed foods
- Reduced physical activity
- Urban lifestyle changes
- Maternal health risks
Among women aged 15–49 years,
- 13.4% have high BMI
- 4.2% live with Type 2 diabetes
These maternal health conditions can influence childhood obesity risk.
Global Trends in Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity has become a major global public health challenge.
Key trends include:
- Rapid increase in obesity in developing and middle-income countries
- Rising consumption of processed foods and sugary beverages
- Declining physical activity levels among children
These trends show that obesity is no longer limited to high-income countries.
Policy Recommendations
The World Obesity Federation calls for urgent government interventions.
Recommended Measures
- Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages
- Restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children (including digital platforms)
- Promotion of physical activity programmes
- Protection and promotion of breastfeeding
- Healthier school food standards
- Integration of obesity prevention into primary healthcare systems
Experts also stress early screening and intervention for children at risk.
Understanding Obesity
According to the World Health Organization, obesity is abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses health risks.
What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool used to estimate body fat based on height and weight.
- Formula: [BMI = \frac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{\text{Height (m)}^2}]
BMI Categories (WHO Standards)
Adults
| BMI Range | Category |
| <18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5–24.9 | Normal |
| 25–29.9 | Overweight |
| ≥30 | Obesity |
Obesity Classes
| Class | BMI Range |
| Class I | 30–34.9 |
| Class II | 35–39.9 |
| Class III | ≥40 |
BMI Classification for Children
BMI for children under 20 years is measured using age- and sex-specific percentiles.
| Category | Percentile |
| Underweight | <5th percentile |
| Healthy weight | 5th–85th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th–95th percentile |
| Obesity | ≥95th percentile |
| Severe obesity | ≥120% of 95th percentile or BMI ≥35 |
Healthcare professionals often combine BMI with:
- Waist circumference
- Body composition analysis
- Metabolic assessments
World Obesity Day Theme 2026
Theme: “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity”
The theme emphasizes that with over 8 billion people worldwide, there are 8 billion reasons to address obesity as a global priority.
Focus Areas
- Tackling childhood obesity
- Addressing systemic causes of obesity
- Ensuring equitable treatment for all communities
- Promoting multisectoral policy solutions
Significance
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 highlights that childhood obesity is rapidly emerging as a major global health crisis.
Key messages include:
- Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide.
- India has the second-largest number of obese children globally.
- Early intervention and policy reforms are essential.
- Preventing obesity in childhood can reduce future non-communicable diseases.