Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children Younger Than 5 Years in India
Authors' conclusion
In this cross-sectional study of Indian children younger than 5 years from 2006 to 2024, a historical overweight increase reversed in 2024. However, profound subnational disparities remained
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 0 to 59 months across 36 states and union territories (UTs) in India, National Family Health Survey 2006–2024NFHSs 2006–2021
- Participants
- 467,995 children
- Outcome
- Prevalence of overweight (weight for height >2 SDs above WHO median) and obesity (>3 SDs), standardized annualized changes, and probability of achieving the ≤5% 2030 GNT overweight threshold
- Follow-up
- 2006–2024
Methodological detailsrepeated cross-sectional surveys, National Family Health Survey, 4 waves, fractional logistic regression forecasting, Data analysed in January and updated in July 2026
- Repeated cross-sectional surveys
- National Family Health Survey, 4 waves
- Fractional logistic regression forecasting
- Data analysed in January and updated in July 2026
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
2006 to 2021; 2024
- Overweight prevalence, 2006
- 1.55%
- Overweight prevalence, 2021
- 3.42%
- Obesity prevalence, 2006
- 0.50%
- Obesity prevalence, 2021
- 1.30%
- Overweight prevalence, 2024
- 1.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Projected attainment of 2030 Global Nutrition Target (GNT) overweight target (≤5%)
- States and UTs with low to moderate probability of adherence (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
- 9
- India projected to sustain the 2030 overweight target nationally
Original publication
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children Younger Than 5 Years in India. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 September 2026. doi:10.
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