Obesity among Indian kids cause of concern

Obesity in children in India has increased manifold, pushing them to an unhealthy life ahead, according to experts.

Obesity in children tripled compared to five years ago. Hypertension, once rare in children, has nearly quadrupled.

A recent global analysis, published by The Lancet, showed that 12.5 million children (7.3 million boys and 5.2 million girls), aged between five and 19 in India were grossly overweight in 2022, a sharp rise from 0.4 million in 1990.

This is a threefold increase in just three decades, and it paints a worrying picture for the future health of our nation, said an expert.

Experts attribute the increasing prevalence of obesity to lifestyle factors, posing risks like heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. Fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea, and arthritis are common in obese individuals, leading to a significant medical burden, they said.

The experts called for early awareness and education, particularly among the children to combat obesity. Unhealthy eating patterns, sedentary lifestyles, and early obesity are significant contributors.

India’s health crisis, marked by rising incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, majorly originates from childhood habits influencing adult health. To tackle this issue, traditional, nutrient-rich foods, physical activity, raise in awareness about lifelong habit impacts, and policies fostering healthy environments are the need of the hour.