Obesity in children is increasing at an alarming rate in India. India has the second highest number of obese children in the world, with 14.4 million reported cases. According to a 2018 study, somewhere between 5.74 and 8.82 percent of school children in India are obese.

Children who are overweight or obese tend to develop medical issues like diabetes and hypertension at a very young age. Some of the health problems associated with obesity during childhood include breathing difficulties, hypertension, higher risk of fractures, menstrual and puberty disorders, and psychological effects. Childhood obesity is not related to just physical issues. It can also lead to behavioural issues, depression and even suicide in extreme cases due to ridicule by peers.