Health Burden Due to the Surge in Childhood Obesity in India

Childhood overweight and obesity have nearly doubled in Indian urban areas; approximately 4.2% of children were overweight in 2020––based on a weight-for-height criterion. The rise is also evident among adolescents – the rates escalated from 9.8% in 2006 to 11.7% in 2009. According to estimated projections, by 2030, the subcontinent may harbor over 27 million obese children.

Multiple factors contribute to this surge in obesity prevalence, including genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status, and environmental influences. Genetics accounts for about 5% of childhood obesity cases, while socioeconomic factors, such as dietary patterns, play a significant role. Globalization exposes children to high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt (HFSS) foods, often marketed as healthy alternatives. The shift towards frequent dining out and the availability of HFSS food through delivery apps contribute to the problem.

Adolescents facing increased academic pressures tend to cut down on physical activity – replacing it with sedentary behaviors like screen time. Binge eating to cope with stress, anxiety, or loneliness and changes in brain reward pathways contribute to unhealthy eating habits. Further, higher socioeconomic status is linked to an increased risk of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity poses long-term health risks, leading to various diseases in adolescence and adulthood. Preventive measures, as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), include improving parental nutrition, addressing obesogenic environmental factors, and early intervention to prevent obesity continuation into adulthood. Therefore, early detection of gestational diabetes, nutritional counseling, and exercise promotion are crucial. The second strategy involves curbing obesogenic environmental factors, with policy measures like restricting junk food outlets near schools and individual efforts such as celebrity endorsements against HFSS products. Schools and parents must actively engage in awareness campaigns, and pediatricians should emphasize a healthy diet during each visit. 

As the subcontinent faces both undernutrition and obesity challenges, there is an urgent need for intervention. Innovative strategies from other countries, like Brazil's advertising restrictions and Ireland's ban on celebrity endorsements for food targeting children, could inspire effective policies in India. Pediatricians play a pivotal role in early detection and education, with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics planning to publish guidelines and hold a pediatric obesity conclave for increased awareness and prevention efforts.

Source: Kinjawadekar U. Rising Concern of Childhood Obesity in India. VOLUME 60 NUMBER 10 October 2023. 2023 Oct.