One in five kids now overweight: Study highlights global obesity crisis

According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, released on World Obesity Day (4 March), more than one in five (20.7 per cent) 5-19 year-olds worldwide are living with obesity and overweight - an increase from 14.6 per cent in 2010. World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2040, a total of 507 million children will be living with overweight or obesity.

The World Obesity Federation said a strong action is required to reverse current trends, including taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, restrictions on marketing to children (including digital platforms), implementation of global physical activity recommendations for children, protection of breastfeeding, healthier school food standards, and integration of prevention and care into primary health systems.

World Obesity Federation chief executive Johanna Ralston said: "The increase in childhood obesity worldwide shows we have failed to take seriously a disease that affects one in five children. Governments urgently need to step up prevention and management efforts for children living with overweight and obesity, and ensure that they receive the care they need."

"We need to implement policies to create healthy environments, whether children are at home, school or out and about: We know that taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks and limits on advertising unhealthy food to children work, alongside greater access to physical activity and monitoring that starts in primary care. There is no reason to hesitate in bringing these about: it is not right to condemn a generation to obesity and the chronic and potentially fatal non-communicable diseases that often go with it."

Action to reduce children’s exposure to obesity risk factors remains inadequate, according to the Atlas. A

nd while obesity has previously been associated with higher-income countries, increases in prevalence of obesity and overweight are now occurring most rapidly in low and middle-income countries.

What is Obesity?

As per Cleveland Clinic's website,  Obesity is when you have excessive body fat. It’s a chronic (long-term) and complex disease that can affect your overall health and quality of life. Obesity can lead to serious medical conditions. It can affect your self-esteem and mental health.

As per the website, the condition affects 2 in 5 adults in the United States.

What causes obesity?

On the most basic level, obesity happens when you consume more calories than your body can use. Many things may play a role in why you may eat more food than your body needs:

Certain medications: Medications you take to treat other conditions may contribute to weight gain. Examples are antidepressants, steroids, anti-seizure medications, diabetes medications and beta-blockers.

Disability: Adults and children with physical and learning disabilities are most at risk for obesity. Physical limitations and lack of adequate specialized education and resources can contribute.

Eating habits: Consuming more calories than your body needs, eating ultra-processed food, high-sugar foods and drinks, and foods with high amounts of saturated fat may cause overweight.

Genetics: Research shows people with obesity carry specific genes (obesity-susceptibility genes) that affect appetite. It’s not clear if people with overweight have the same genetic makeup.

Lack of physical activity: High amounts of screen time — like watching TV, playing video games or spending time on your mobile phone or laptop — cut into the time you have for physical activity.

Lack of sleep: Missing out on at least seven hours of sleep can affect the hormones that keep hunger urges under control.

Stress: Your brain and body react to stress by making more hormones like cortisol that manage hunger. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to eat high-fat, high-sugar food (comfort food) that your body stores as extra fat.

Underlying health issues: Diseases like metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome can cause side effects like weight gain. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can lead to eating high-calorie foods that activate the pleasure centers in your brain.