Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{184157,
        author = {Prof. Arul Vendhan},
        title = {Childhood Obesity in India: A Systematic Review (2020–2025)},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {328-331},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184157},
        abstract = {Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health challenge in India, with implications for long-term metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. Recent data indicate a sharp rise in prevalence, particularly among urban and school-going populations.
Objectives: To synthesize evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the prevalence, risk factors, and implications of childhood obesity in India.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Indian journals was conducted for studies published from January 2020 to August 2025. Grey literature, including NFHS-5 and WHO/World Obesity Atlas reports, was also reviewed. Studies were included if they assessed obesity/overweight among Indian children and adolescents (0–19 years) using standardized BMI or waist circumference measures. Data were synthesized narratively and supported by prevalence estimates.
Results: Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, and eight provided quantitative estimates. NFHS-5 reported a rise in under-five overweight from 2.1% (NFHS-4) to 3.4%, reflecting a ~60% relative increase. School- and community-based studies revealed prevalence ranging from 8–12% in mixed cohorts to over 20–30% in urban private schools. Major risk factors included urban residence, higher socioeconomic status, energy-dense diets, sedentary lifestyle, and parental obesity. Projections suggest over 33 million Indian children are currently overweight or obese.
Conclusion: Childhood obesity in India is escalating, with substantial urban and socioeconomic disparities. Evidence highlights the urgent need for integrated strategies, including school-based screening, dietary interventions, promotion of physical activity, and standardized surveillance systems.},
        keywords = {Childhood obesity; Overweight; Adolescents; India; NFHS-5; Systematic review; Prevalence; Risk factors},
        month = {September},
        }