In a country where millions of children still go to bed hungry, it’s hard to imagine that childhood obesity could be part of the same conversation. But that’s exactly the paradox India faces today, a nation battling both undernutrition and overnutrition among its youngest citizens.
At the recent Aaj Tak Health Summit, leading paediatric and public health experts drew attention to a worrying truth: 30% of Indian children are malnourished, while nearly 10% are obese. This dual burden paints a complex picture of a nation where poor diet, lack of awareness, and changing lifestyles are quietly reshaping childhood health.
The Two Faces of Malnutrition
For decades, India’s public health narrative has revolved around undernutrition, children too thin, too short for their age, or lacking essential nutrients. Malnutrition continues to stunt both physical and cognitive growth in millions of children, limiting not only individual potential but also the nation’s productivity in the long run.
But now, obesity has entered the frame. Urbanisation, processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles have made children in cities just as vulnerable, this time, to excessive calorie intake, poor eating habits, and minimal physical activity. The irony? Both ends of this spectrum stem from the same root problem that is, poor nutrition choices and limited awareness.
Too Much or Too Little- Both Are Dangerous
The co-existence of underweight and overweight children reveals that the issue isn’t just about food quantity but food quality. While rural children often lack access to nutrient-rich foods, urban kids may consume too much of the wrong kind, high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
He further explained that overfeeding, coupled with limited physical activity, can predispose children to lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension at an early age. Monitoring growth charts, encouraging outdoor play, and limiting screen time, he said, are essential for balanced development.
Beyond Physical Health: The Mind Matters Too
Children today are growing up in an era of screens, stress, and shrinking outdoor spaces. While nutrition plays a key role in physical growth, mental and emotional health are equally critical.
Dr Sanjay K. Rai, Professor at AIIMS, emphasised that true child health goes beyond weight and height. “Mental and social wellbeing are just as important. Parents must ensure quality family time, adequate sleep, and minimal screen exposure,” he said.
He recommends avoiding screen time entirely before the age of two, and limiting it to under one hour daily between ages two and five. Sleep, too, is vital for children need between 8 to 12 hours, depending on age, to support growth and emotional stability.
The Environmental Angle
As winter and the festive season approach, air pollution adds another layer to the health crisis. Children are particularly susceptible to respiratory infections and eye allergies, worsened by poor air quality and fireworks during Diwali. Experts urged community-level awareness and preventive practices, from wearing masks to avoiding outdoor play during peak smog hours.
In short, healthy childhood isn’t just a parent’s responsibility; it’s a collective one that involves clean air, nutritious food, active living, and emotional care.
The Five Pillars of a Healthy Childhood
The session concluded with five key takeaways, simple but powerful foundations for raising healthier children:
Early and exclusive breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, continued for at least six months.
No added sugar, salt, tea, or honey before the age of one.
Balanced nutrition, include cereals, dals, beans, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, milk, and eggs.
Daily outdoor play and limited screen time for better physical and mental wellbeing.
Regular health check-ups and clean air, especially during pollution-heavy months.
The Way Forward
The statistics are sobering. Behind every number is a child whose growth, education, and future could be compromised by poor nutrition or unhealthy habits. Malnutrition, in all its forms, isn’t just a health issue, it’s a development crisis that will determine India’s social and economic future.
Experts agree that the solution lies in a mix of education, policy, and parental awareness. Schools must include nutrition literacy in their curriculum. Healthcare systems need to prioritise preventive care over reactive treatment. And at home, parents can take small, consistent steps, cooking balanced meals, encouraging play, and modelling healthy habits themselves.