World Obesity Federation projects more than 220 million children could have obesity by 2040 without major action
The Facts
- The World Obesity Federation published the World Obesity Atlas 2026, released around World Obesity Day (March 4).
- The report projects that by 2040 roughly 227–228 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 worldwide will be living with obesity if major action is not taken.
- The report says that in 2025 about 180 million children globally were living with obesity.
- The report projects that by 2040 more than half a billion children will be overweight.
- The World Obesity Federation report warns most countries are off track to meet global targets to halt the rise in childhood obesity.
- India is ranked second globally (after China) for the number of children living with overweight and obesity, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026.
- The report’s India figures cited by multiple outlets say that in 2025 nearly 15 million children aged 5–9 and more than 26 million aged 10–19 in India were overweight or obese.
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Context
What does the World Obesity Federation project for global childhood obesity by 2040?
In the World Obesity Atlas 2026, the federation projects that by 2040 about 227–228 million people aged 5–19 will be living with obesity, and more than half a billion will be overweight, absent major action. Guardian,Independent
How does the report describe India’s position in childhood overweight and obesity?
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 places India second globally (behind China) for the number of children living with overweight and obesity, and it estimates that in 2025 nearly 15 million children aged 5–9 and more than 26 million aged 10–19 in India were overweight or obese. Indian Express,Hindu
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Wire services (5)
Independent coverage (50)
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The NationUrgent national action called on obesity at World Obesity Da...
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NewserChild Obesity Could Hit 227M Kids Globally by 2040
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The StarDoctors urge action as obesity rises in Kenya
United News of India41 million Indian children overweight as India ranks two glo...
Euronews EnglishChild obesity to hit 228 million by 2040, report finds
Irish ExaminerMore than 220 million children will be obese by 2040 without...
The StarWorld Obesity Day: Why childhood obesity demands urgent acti...
ECRHealth expert warns obesity remains a growing crisis
The IndependentUK obesity rate one of worst in Europe, report warns
Economic TimesIndia ranks second globally for childhood obesity, 41 millio...
Zee NewsInside India's silent Emergency: Country ranks 2nd globally ...
Express HealthcareWorld Obesity Federation says 2025 childhood obesity target ...
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Anadolu Ajansı228M children worldwide expected to live with obesity by 204...
NDTVObesity Is Now Being Treated As A Long-Term Disease, Not A T...
AGERPRESWorld Obesity Day/Study: 27.5% overweight prevalence among 7...
The HinduIndia ranks second globally for children living with overwei...
Daily SabahTürkiye's Health Ministry advances structured obesity tracki...
India TV NewsWorld Obesity Day 2026: India ranks second after China in ch...
The News InternationalChildhood obesity crisis: 220 million kids may be affected b...
Business StandardWorld Obesity Day 2026 calls for global push to change the o...
The Hans IndiaToday is World Obesity Day: How students can overcome obesit...
The Gulf TodayAlarming rise in childhood obesity troubling: Doctors
Business StandardChildhood obesity on the rise: India ranks 2nd worldwide, re...
NewsBytesOver 220M children will be obese by 2040, report warns
Daily MonitorUganda's growing obesity crisis demands urgent action
NDTVWorld Obesity Day 2026: India's Child Obesity Numbers Soar, ...
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