ISLAMABAD: Childhood obesity in Pakistan is increasing at an alarming rate. Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has been rising by an estimated 10.6 percent annually since 2010, placing the country among those experiencing fastest growth in childhood obesity worldwide, according to World Obesity Atlas 2026.
The report states Pakistan is among the countries where obesity and excess body weight among children aged 5 to 19 years are rising most rapidly. This trend raises serious concerns about country’s future burden of diabetes, heart disease, and other non-communicable diseases.
Along with rapid rise in obesity, prevalence of high body mass index (BMI) among children in Pakistan is also increasing sharply, growing at an estimated 7.1pc annually, making the country one of fastest rising globally in terms of unhealthy weight gain among young populations.
Countries witnessing even faster increases in childhood BMI include Vietnam with a 7.9pc annual rise, followed by Pakistan, Indonesia, and Liberia. In terms of obesity growth, Liberia recorded highest annual increase at 13.3pc, followed by Uganda and Pakistan.
The Atlas estimates Pakistan already has around 18 million children aged 5 to 19 years living with high BMI, including approximately 8 million classified as obese, placing the country among top ten nations with largest number of children affected by excess body weight.
Globally, overweight and obesity among children have risen sharply over the past decade. The combined prevalence among children aged 5 to 19 years increased from 14.6pc in 2010 to about 20.7pc by 2025, with more than 180 countries reporting rising trends during this period.
The number of children and adolescents living with obesity worldwide reached 177 million in 2025 and is projected to increase to 228 million by 2040, raising global prevalence from 8.7pc to nearly 11.9pc.
Public health experts warn childhood obesity significantly increases risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. Excess body weight during childhood is strongly linked to early-onset diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease.
The report also notes millions of children worldwide are already showing early signs of chronic diseases associated with high BMI. These include 98 million children with early indicators of fatty liver disease, 47 million with elevated triglycerides, and 34 million with hypertension. These conditions are expected to become even more common by 2040 if current trends continue.
Researchers attribute rapid rise in childhood obesity to several factors, including increased consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks, reduced physical activity, urban lifestyles, and greater screen time among children.
The Atlas also highlights most children living with obesity are now in low- and middle-income countries, reflecting major shifts in global dietary patterns and lifestyles.
Health experts warn Pakistan could face serious long-term consequences if current trends continue, especially since country is already among those with highest diabetes burden in the world.
They emphasise preventing childhood obesity requires coordinated public health measures, including improving nutrition in schools, restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to children, promoting physical activity, and encouraging healthier diets at home and within communities.
Without urgent policy action, specialists warn rapid rise in childhood obesity could turn into a major health crisis in the coming decades.
