Pakistan has once again found itself in the middle of a rapidly expanding public health challenge: childhood obesity. The latest findings from the World Obesity Atlas 2026 should ideally serve as a wakeup call for our health authorities. Since 2010, the prevalence of obesity among Pakistani children and adolescents has been rising by an estimated 10.6 per cent annually, one of the fastest growth rates in the world. At present, roughly 18 million children between the ages of five and 19 are living with a high body mass index (BMI), and nearly eight million of them are already classified as obese. Childhood obesity is one of the root causes of serious health risks later in life. Medical evidence consistently links excess weight during childhood to early onset of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses and fatty liver disease. Pakistan already ranks among the countries with a heavy diabetes burden, and a surge in childhood obesity threatens to intensify this crisis in the decades ahead.
Pakistan is not the only country facing this challenge. Globally, overweight and obesity among children have risen sharply over the past decade. The combined prevalence among children aged five to 19 years increased from 14.6 per cent in 2010 to about 20.7 per cent by 2025, with more than 180 countries reporting rising trends during this period. The reason for this sorry state is a change in people’s lifestyles, with physical activity almost non-existent. Millions of views on children’s videos on video-sharing platforms show that most children are spending more time indoors, glued to screens rather than engaging in physical play. In Pakistan, low- and mid-tier schools are deprived of adequate facilities or programmes that encourage regular physical activity. As a result, students fail to get enough exercise at school. While we could blame parents for it, our infrastructure planning is also questionable. The concept of parks seems alien to our city planners, where most residential areas lack a proper park for kids and families.
Then, the fear of getting robbed is so intense that most families prefer not to take their children outside. In the old golden days, children would play on the streets in their neighbourhoods. It would be a good community-building exercise as well. Now, the road infrastructure is such that sending children out to play is effectively putting them in harm’s way. Processed foods and sugary beverages have become increasingly accessible and aggressively marketed, often replacing traditional diets that once relied on balanced home-cooked meals. The popularity of delivery apps means anyone can order anything at any time. In our country, gas and power outages have also led to a decline in household cooking, with most families preferring to order in. All of this could lead to a health disaster. Schools must play a central role by promoting balanced meals, limiting the availability of unhealthy snacks and integrating regular physical activity into daily routines. Policymakers should consider stricter regulations on the marketing of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods aimed at children. Public awareness campaigns can also help families understand the importance of nutrition and active lifestyles. We need to give our children a chance at a healthier future.
