A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine has highlighted the growing burden of childhood obesity in India. Conducted by researchers from the ICMR–National Institute of Traditional Medicine in collaboration with experts from India and the UK, the study analyzed data from 125 studies published between 1995 and 2023. The analysis found that nearly 7% of school-going children in India are obese, with an overall prevalence of 6.97%.
Regional variations were notable, with northern India reporting the highest prevalence at 8.58%, while central India had the lowest at 5.63%. Importantly, obesity rates have shown a steady upward trend over the past three decades. Experts attribute this rise to a combination of unhealthy dietary habits, increased consumption of processed and sugary foods, reduced physical activity, excessive screen time, inadequate…
