India Ranked Second Globally in Child Obesity, 41 Million High-BMI Kids

World Obesity Atlas 2026, released on World Obesity Day, shows India ranking second globally for children who are overweight or living with obesity. The country counts about 41 million children with high BMI and 14 million with obesity, with nearly 15 million aged five to nine and more than 26 million aged 10 to 19 affected in 2025. The atlas notes that while the global target to halve childhood obesity was extended to 2030, most countries, including India, remain off track.\n\nEight countries are projected to have more than 10 million children with high BMI by the end of 2025. China leads with 62 million high BMI children and 33 million with obesity, followed by India with 41 million high BMI and 14 million obesity. The United States has 27 million high BMI children and 13 million with obesity.\n\nThe report warns that this rise in childhood obesity is set to bring serious health consequences. Disease indicators linked to high BMI in Indian children are projected to rise substantially from 2025 to 2040: hypertension from 2.99 million to 4.21 million, hyperglycemia from 1.39 million to 1.91 million, high triglycerides from 4.39 million to 6.07 million, and MASLD (formerly NAFLD) from 8.39 million to 11.88 million. It also highlights preventable risk factors across age groups and the urgent need for action to create healthier environments for kids.

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