India is grappling with an escalating obesity crisis, as experts warn that unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles could lead to a significant public health emergency. The recently published UNICEF Child Nutrition Global Report 2025 indicates that, for the first time, obesity has surpassed underweight as the primary form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. Currently, nearly 188 million children globally are living with obesity, and projections suggest that over 27 million children and teenagers in India will be affected by 2030, representing about 11 percent of the global burden.
Data from the National Family Health Survey reveals alarming trends across various age groups. The prevalence of obesity among children under five has skyrocketed by 127 percent since 2005-06. For adolescents, the rates have more than doubled among girls and nearly tripled among boys. Adult obesity is also on the rise, with cases increasing by 91 percent among women and 146 percent among men.
Experts attribute this troubling rise to the surge in consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and sugary beverages, compounded by increased screen time and decreased physical activity. Between 2011 and 2021, retail sales of UPFs in India grew at a compound rate of nearly 14 percent, displacing traditional diets that were rich in fruits and vegetables.
“India is beginning to face the triple burden of malnutrition-stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity-sometimes within the same family,” highlighted Marie-Claude Desilets, Chief Nutrition at UNICEF India, during a national media round-table focused on healthy diets.
The economic ramifications of obesity are equally concerning. In 2019, obesity-related costs were estimated to be USD 29 billion, which constituted 1 percent of India’s GDP. Without significant intervention, this figure could balloon to USD 839 billion, or 2.5 percent of GDP, by 2060.
Health experts caution that obesity, particularly when established in childhood, is challenging to reverse and is associated with various health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers. The stigma and psychological impact of obesity further contribute to its burden.
While initiatives like the Fit India Movement, Eat Right India, and POSHAN Abhiyaan 2.0 have been launched, experts advocate for more robust measures, such as health taxes on junk food, stricter advertising regulations, and front-of-pack nutrition labeling.
“The opportunity to act is now,” Desilets emphasized, urging policymakers to take proactive steps to protect future generations from the widespread epidemic affecting all age groups.
