Childhood obesity is becoming an increasingly serious health concern, marked by a child’s weight exceeding the healthy range for their age, height, and sex. The Mayo Clinic defines childhood obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children aged 2 and older. As India observes National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month each September, experts warn that urban lifestyles—characterised by poor diets, reduced physical activity, and high screen time—are driving a noticeable surge in obesity among children.
Global and National Trends
The rise in childhood obesity is not limited to India. According to the U.S. CDC’s 2017–2020 data, around 19.7% of children aged 2 to 19—about 14.7 million—were classified as obese. Rates increased steadily with age: 12.7% among ages 2–5, 20.7% among ages 6–11, and 22.2% among adolescents 12–19.
Dr. Vivek Jain, Senior Director & Unit Head of Paediatrics at Fortis Hospital, notes that childhood obesity has escalated sharply due to lifestyle changes. Children spend significant time on screens, participate less in outdoor play, and often engage in online learning. These sedentary habits coincide with diets increasingly dominated by fast food, sugary beverages, and processed snacks.
A growing preference for convenience—regular dining out, irregular mealtimes, packaged foods, and decreased access to safe play areas—further compounds the issue. Academic pressure, long study hours, and family history of obesity also increase risk. Without timely intervention, childhood obesity often continues into adulthood, raising the likelihood of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even certain cancers.
What Causes Childhood Obesity?
1. Genetics and Epigenetics
Children with a family history of obesity are more prone to it. Genetic traits influence how the body stores and uses energy. Stress, trauma, and environmental factors can also affect gene expression, impacting metabolism.
2. Home and Family Environment
Household habits play a major role. Oversized portions, sugary drinks, frequent snacking, lack of exercise, excess screen time, inadequate sleep, and exposure to secondhand smoke all contribute to unhealthy weight gain.
3. Social Determinants of Health
Children’s surroundings matter. Limited access to affordable nutritious foods, abundant fast-food options, inadequate transportation, lack of safe play spaces, and insufficient school health programs all influence obesity risk.
4. Cultural and Marketing Influences
Aggressive advertising of fast food and sugary drinks—across TV, social media, and retail environments—makes unhealthy options highly appealing to children.
How Parents Can Help Prevent Childhood Obesity
Preventing childhood obesity requires combined efforts from families, communities, schools, and policymakers. According to Dr. Vivek Jain, parents play the most critical role:
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Promote balanced meals: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reduce intake of fried foods, packaged snacks, and sugary drinks.
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Encourage daily physical activity: Children should get at least 60 minutes of active play or exercise—sports, cycling, running, or outdoor activities.
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Limit screen time: Reducing TV, mobile, and gaming time helps boost activity levels and improve sleep.
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Lead by example: Families should eat meals together, engage in physical activities, and demonstrate healthy habits.
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Support school-based initiatives: Schools should offer nutritious meals, encourage physical education, and educate students on health and wellness.
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month serves as a reminder that preventing obesity goes beyond weight management—it’s about giving children the opportunity to grow into healthy, confident adults. By creating supportive environments and spreading awareness, families and communities can make a lasting impact.