India ranks second globally in childhood obesity, projected to have 20 million obese children by 2040: World Obesity Atlas 2026

Key facts

• India ranks second globally in childhood obesity after China, overtaking the United States, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026.
• In 2025, India had 14.9 million children aged 5–9 and over 26 million aged 10–19 who were overweight or obese.
• By 2040, India is projected to have 20 million children living with obesity and 56 million either overweight or obese.
• The World Obesity Atlas 2026 predicts BMI-attributed hypertension in Indian children will rise from 2.99 million to 4.21 million between 2025 and 2040.
• Hyperglycaemia cases are projected to increase from 1.39 million to 1.91 million, and high triglycerides from 4.39 million to 6.07 million in the same period.
• India leads the WHO South-East Asia Region with over 45 million young people aged 0–19 overweight or obese.
• The World Obesity Federation (WOF) warns India is among the fastest-rising countries, with nearly 5% annual increase in childhood overweight and obesity.
• Only 35.5% of Indian school-age children receive school meals, and 74% of adolescents aged 11–17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
• The Atlas urges stronger prevention policies, including healthier school food environments, protection from marketing of unhealthy foods, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.