Childhood overweight and obesity in India (2015–2025): a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiology and socioeconomic correlates

Vollständiger Abstract

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Childhood overweight and obesity are emerging public health challenges in India, driven by rapid urbanization, dietary transitions, and lifestyle changes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence published between 2015 and 2025 to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Indian children and adolescents and examine associated socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration (CRD420251165983), a comprehensive search identified 47 eligible studies comprising 54,915 participants. Using random-effects meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of obesity was 5.01% (95% CI: 4.25–5.83; I²=94.47%), while overweight prevalence was 11.64% (95% CI: 9.83–13.57; I²=97.85%), indicating substantial heterogeneity across studies. Gender-stratified analyses revealed a slightly higher burden among boys than girls for both obesity (5.21% versus 4.58%) and overweight (11.02% versus 10.73%). Geographical analyses demonstrated higher prevalence in Eastern and Southern India compared with Northern and Western regions. Narrative synthesis consistently identified higher socioeconomic status, urban residence, private schooling, reduced physical activity, sedentary behaviour, unhealthy dietary practices, and increased screen time as important correlates of excess weight. Despite considerable heterogeneity, publication bias was not detected. These findings suggest that approximately one in nine Indian children are overweight and one in twenty is obese, representing a substantial and growing public health burden. The observed demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities highlight the need for standardized surveillance systems, context-specific prevention strategies, and early interventions targeting modifiable lifestyle risk factors to prevent the rising epidemic of childhood obesity in India.