Telangana childhood obesity rates rise to 3.4%

Childhood obesity rates in Telangana have risen significantly, increasing from 0.7% in the NFHS-4 survey to 3.4% in NFHS-5. In urban centers such as Hyderabad, the combined rates of overweight and obesity among school-aged children are estimated to be between 20% and 35%.

Medical experts attribute this trend to increased screen time, sedentary lifestyles, and the consumption of junk food and packaged goods high in sugar, salt, and fat. This rise is linked to early-onset conditions like type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease. Experts also note a ‘double burden of malnutrition’ in India, where micronutrient deficiencies coexist with excess body weight.