India ranks second globally in childhood obesity – World Obesity Atlas 2026
Report and organisation
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 was released by the World Obesity Federation.
Released on World Obesity Day (4 March).
The federation is a global organisation focusing on obesity prevention and management.
India’s ranking and statistics
India ranks second globally in the number of children with obesity and high BMI.
Countries with over 10 million children with obesity include:
China
India
United States
Key data for India (2025):
Children aged 5–9 overweight/obese: nearly 15 million
Children aged 10–19 overweight/obese: over 26 million
Total children with high BMI: about 41 million
Children living with obesity: about 14 million
Global comparison:
China: 62 million children with high BMI, 33 million with obesity
India: 41 million with high BMI, 14 million with obesity
U.S.: 27 million with high BMI, 13 million with obesity
Global trend
Over 200 million school-age children (5–19 years) with obesity are concentrated in 10 countries.
Globally, 20.7% of children are overweight or obese.
This was 14.6% in 2010, showing a major increase.
By 2040, about 507 million children are projected to be overweight or obese.
Global targets
The world was expected to halve the rise in childhood obesity by 2025.
This target is likely to be missed.
The deadline has been extended to 2030.
Major risk factors identified in India
Physical activity
74% of adolescents (11–17 years) do not meet recommended physical activity levels.
Nutrition and diet
Sugary drink consumption among children aged 6–10 averages 50 ml per day.
School nutrition
Only 35.5% of school-age children receive school meals.
Infant nutrition
32.6% of infants (1–5 months) experience sub-optimal breastfeeding.
Maternal health
Among women aged 15–49:
13.4% have high BMI
4.2% have Type 2 diabetes
Health implications
Rising childhood obesity can increase risk of:
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular diseases
Hypertension
Metabolic disorders
The report projects that disease indicators linked to high BMI among Indian children will rise significantly by 2040.
Policy recommendations
The World Obesity Federation recommends:
Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages
Restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children
Improved physical activity programmes
Better child nutrition policies
Strengthened obesity prevention and treatment systems
Important prelims facts
World Obesity Day: 4 March
World Obesity Atlas: Global report on obesity trends
India’s rank in childhood obesity: 2nd globally
Projected global children with obesity by 2040: 507 million
Global organisation: World Obesity Federation
Prelims practice MCQs
Q. The World Obesity Atlas, often seen in the news, is released by:
A. World Health Organization
B. World Obesity Federation
C. UNICEF
D. World Economic Forum
Answer: B
Explanation:
The World Obesity Atlas is released by the World Obesity Federation, a global organisation working on obesity prevention, treatment and policy advocacy.
A. World Health Organization
B. World Obesity Federation
C. UNICEF
D. World Economic Forum
Answer: B
Explanation:
The World Obesity Atlas is released by the World Obesity Federation, a global organisation working on obesity prevention, treatment and policy advocacy.
Q. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, which of the following countries have more than 10 million children living with obesity?
China
India
United States
Brazil
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
According to the report, China, India and the United States each have more than 10 million children living with obesity. Brazil is not included in this category in the report.
China
India
United States
Brazil
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
According to the report, China, India and the United States each have more than 10 million children living with obesity. Brazil is not included in this category in the report.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding childhood obesity in India:
India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.
Around 41 million children in India are estimated to have high BMI.
China has fewer children with high BMI than India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.
About 41 million children in India have high BMI.
China ranks first, with around 62 million children with high BMI, so statement 3 is incorrect.
India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.
Around 41 million children in India are estimated to have high BMI.
China has fewer children with high BMI than India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
India ranks second globally in the number of children with high BMI.
About 41 million children in India have high BMI.
China ranks first, with around 62 million children with high BMI, so statement 3 is incorrect.