Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 24: India is witnessing a sharp rise in obesity and diabetes cases, with health experts warning that sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets and increasing stress levels are driving a growing public health crisis across the country.

Recent studies and health reports show that obesity levels are increasing rapidly among both adults and children, raising concerns over metabolic disorders, fatty liver disease, heart ailments and early-onset diabetes.

According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, India is among the top countries globally in the number of overweight and obese children. Nearly 41 million children aged between 5 and 19 are living with high Body Mass Index (BMI), reports stated.

Experts said urban lifestyles marked by poor sleep, processed food consumption, reduced physical activity and excessive screen time are contributing significantly to the rise in obesity-related diseases among younger people.

A recent report cited by health researchers estimated that India has over 101 million people living with diabetes and around 136 million at pre-diabetic risk.

Medical experts have also warned that obesity increases the risk of severe infections, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses. A Lancet study found that adults with obesity are significantly more likely to require hospitalisation due to infections.

The Union government has recently intensified monitoring of GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs, cautioning against unsupervised use and misleading advertisements related to obesity treatment medications.

Health specialists stressed the need for preventive healthcare measures, including regular exercise, balanced diets, early screening and greater public awareness to tackle the growing metabolic health burden.