05/08/2025
Obesity in Children
The Silent Pandemic We’re Overlooking
When we hear the word "pandemic," we immediately recall the global chaos of COVID-19, hospitals stretched thin, lives lost, economies in crisis. But there’s another pandemic brewing quietly in our homes, schools, and playgrounds. It doesn’t make headlines every day. It doesn’t cause fever or cough. But it is steadily damaging the physical and mental health of our children. That pandemic is childhood obesity.
The term “obesity” often carries stigma, but this is not about shaming. It’s about facing a public health crisis with honesty and urgency. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020. In older children and adolescents, the numbers are even higher, a staggering reflection of a world that is growing unhealthier, younger.
In India, the issue is especially concerning. We’ve long thought of malnutrition as a condition of deficiency, too little food, too little access. But the reality has evolved. Now, malnutrition also includes over-nutrition: too much of the wrong food, too little activity, too many screens, and not enough sleep. Our children are stuck in the crossfire between economic growth, urban lifestyle, and declining physical movement.
Why is this happening?
The causes of childhood obesity are layered and complex. On the surface, it seems simple: children are consuming more calories than they are burning. But when you peel back the layers, a deeper story unfolds.
The shift from traditional, home-cooked meals to processed, calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods is one of the most visible culprits. Fast food, sugary snacks, and carbonated drinks have become the default choice, not the occasional treat. These foods are aggressively marketed, easily available, and often cheaper than healthier alternatives, a dangerous combination.
Then there’s the digital lifestyle. Children today are spending hours on screens, phones, tablets, televisions, computers. Physical play has been replaced by video games. Even school physical education periods are shrinking, often sidelined by academic pressure. When movement stops, metabolism slows, and fat accumulates.
Parental patterns also play a huge role. In many urban households, both parents are working, and cooking fresh meals every day becomes a challenge. Packaged meals and takeouts become the norm. Well-meaning grandparents may overfeed children as a sign of love, believing that chubbiness equals health. Cultural perceptions also contribute, a healthy-looking child is often equated with a “well-fed” child, even if they are overweight by medical standards.
Why should we worry?
Obesity in childhood is not just about body image. It’s a gateway to lifelong health issues. Children who are overweight are more likely to remain obese into adulthood and develop conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, joint problems, and even certain types of cancer.
But beyond the physical, there is immense emotional and psychological toll. Obese children are often bullied, excluded, or made to feel ‘less than.’ Their self-esteem suffers. Many experience anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction at a very young age, issues they carry with them for years.
And here’s the truth we often avoid: this is preventable. That’s what makes it more urgent. We are watching it unfold, and we have the power to change the course.
What can we do?
The first step is awareness. Parents, teachers, and caregivers must understand that obesity is not just a cosmetic issue but a health crisis. Regular health check-ups, including weight and BMI monitoring, can help catch the problem early.
Next comes the food. We must return to nutritious, balanced meals. Schools can play a transformative role here, banning junk food in canteens, educating children about healthy eating, and involving them in growing vegetables or learning to cook. Food literacy should be part of the curriculum, not just a home responsibility.
Physical activity must be encouraged, not forced, but made fun. Children need at least an hour of moderate to vigorous activity every day. This could be anything, dancing, running, cycling, sports, or even just a brisk walk. Parents should also model the behavior. If a child sees their parent being active, they’re more likely to follow suit.
Lastly, screen time must be regulated. It’s not realistic to ban screens altogether, but setting boundaries is crucial. Encourage offline hobbies. Make family time tech-free. Let children experience boredom, it often leads to creativity and movement.
Where do we go from here?
This is not a problem that can be solved in a clinic or a school alone. It needs a whole ecosystem, families, communities, governments, and health professionals working together. Policies around food labeling, advertising to children, urban planning (with parks and walking spaces), and school health programs need serious attention.
Obesity in children is not about laziness or lack of willpower. It is about an environment that makes unhealthy choices easier and more accessible than healthy ones. It is a medical condition, and like all pandemics, it requires prevention, treatment, and empathy.
As a doctor, I see the faces behind these statistics, the young boy who struggles to climb stairs, the teenage girl ashamed to join dance class, the parent who doesn’t know where to begin. These are real lives, and they deserve a healthier future.
Let’s not wait for this pandemic to get worse. Let’s act now, for our children, for their health, and for the generations to come.