Global childhood obesity hits 20.7%, with India now second only to China, driven by poor diets and sedentary lifestyles.

According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, global childhood obesity rates have risen to 20.7% among children aged 5 to 19, with India now second only to China in terms of affected children, having surpassed the United States. Sedentary lifestyles, junk food consumption, and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods are all projected to contribute to 507 million overweight or obese children by 2040. India is experiencing a growing "double burden" of malnutrition, with rising rates of childhood obesity linked to early-onset chronic diseases. Despite higher rates of seeking medical attention, many people in India are unaware of the serious health risks associated with obesity. Experts call for immediate policy action, such as sugar taxes, advertising restrictions, improved school meals, and integrated health-care support, to reverse the trend.