Childhood obesity is rising at an alarming pace in India. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, India now ranks second in the world in the number of children aged 5–19 years living with overweight or obesity, with 41 million affected in 2025 alone.
The report highlights that this figure is part of a global trend – more than one in five children worldwide now lives with overweight or obesity, up from 14.6 per cent in 2010.
Alongside this rise in obesity, children’s daily time spent on screens – from smartphones to tablets and televisions – has increased markedly. While digital devices bring educational opportunities, excessive screen use has been linked to sedentary lifestyles, poorer dietary habits, disrupted sleep, and reduced physical activity, all of which are significant contributors to weight gain.
Who Is Affected
The primary affected group is Indian children, especially those between 5 and 19 years old who have shown the highest increases in overweight and obesity rates in recent years. Within this broad group, school‑aged children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable. A recent national survey by the National Council of CBSE Schools found that 74 per cent of students reported using screens for more than two hours a day for non‑academic purposes, while 21 per cent spent four hours or more daily on social media, gaming or videos.
Parents, schools and health professionals are increasingly recognising that screen overuse is not just a behavioural issue but a public health concern for Indian youth. The Economic Survey of India 2025–26 has even flagged excessive screen time as a risk that could undermine productivity and long‑term health outcomes for the nation’s young population.
The Trend Over Recent Years
While screen time has been rising steadily over the past decade, the trend has accelerated in recent years, particularly in the post‑COVID period. Lockdowns and remote learning increased children’s reliance on digital devices, and these habits have persisted even after schools reopened. Research and surveys conducted throughout 2025 and 2026 show a sustained pattern of prolonged daily screen exposure among children and adolescents.
Evidence also indicates that even children under five years old in India are exceeding recommended screen limits, with some studies finding average daily screen use well above the safe guidelines recommended by global health authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Focus on India (Urban and Rural Differences)
Most of the data on childhood screen use and obesity comes from urban centres such as Pune, Chennai, Kochi and Delhi, where access to smartphones and digital platforms is widespread. Urban lifestyles often mean smaller living spaces, fewer safe outdoor play areas, and greater access to digital entertainment. An urban study in Chennai underscored that excessive screen time and frequent fast food consumption more than doubled the risk of obesity among adolescents in school.
In rural areas, the pattern has historically been different, with less screen access and higher levels of physical labour. However, with increasing mobile connectivity and affordability, rural children are also showing rising screen use. This shift, combined with changes in diet and lifestyle, is beginning to blur the traditional urban–rural divide in obesity patterns.
Reasons Linking Screen Use to Obesity
1. Sedentary Lifestyle
Excessive screen time often replaces physical activity. When children spend hours watching videos, playing games, or scrolling through social media, they are less likely to engage in outdoor play, sports or exercise. The World Obesity Atlas notes that 74 per cent of Indian adolescents do not meet recommended physical activity levels, a key risk factor for obesity.
2. Poor Eating Habits
Screen use encourages mindless snacking. Research has shown that children are more likely to consume high‑calorie snacks and sugary drinks while watching screens, contributing to a caloric imbalance and weight gain. Advertising of unhealthy foods on digital platforms further compounds this issue.
3. Sleep Disruption
Screens emit blue light that can interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle. Poor sleep has been directly linked to weight gain in children because it affects hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. Disrupted sleep can also reduce energy levels, making physical activity less appealing.
4. Mental Health and Behavioural Patterns
Excessive screen exposure can influence mood and behaviour, sometimes leading to emotional eating as a coping mechanism. Surveys of Indian school leaders reveal that behavioural challenges such as irritability and stress often accompany heavy screen use, which can also disrupt routines around physical activity and meals.
The Mechanisms Behind Weight Gain
Scientifically, weight gain occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure over time. Screens contribute to this imbalance in several ways:
- Lower energy expenditure: Hours spent in front of screens burn fewer calories than active play.
- Increased exposure to food marketing: Children viewing digital ads for high‑fat, high‑sugar foods are more likely to prefer and consume them.
- Displaced mealtimes: Screen use during meals can distract children from recognising fullness, leading to overeating.
- Sleep and metabolic disruption: Poor sleep interacts with hormones like leptin and ghrelin, increasing hunger and appetite.
These mechanisms are supported by both global research and Indian studies demonstrating a clear link between screen time duration and overweight or obesity in children and adolescents.
Conclusion
The rise in childhood obesity in India cannot be attributed to a single cause, but excessive screen use is a significant and growing factor. Children today face a digital environment that encourages prolonged sedentary behaviour, encourages unhealthy eating patterns, and disrupts routines essential for balanced growth.
With India now second in the world for childhood obesity, there is an urgent need for awareness, balanced technology use, and supportive environments that promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Parents, educators and policymakers must work together to ensure that screens are used mindfully and that children’s time includes ample opportunities for physical play, nutritious meals and restful sleep. Only through such comprehensive efforts can India hope to reverse the worrying trend of obesity among its youngest citizens.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of The Logical Take, a commentary section of The Logical Indian. The views expressed are based on research, constitutional values, and the author’s analysis of publicly reported events. They are intended to encourage informed public discourse and do not seek to target or malign any community, institution, or individual.
