Childhood Obesity in India: Look Beyond BMI Childhood obesi…

Childhood Obesity in India: Look Beyond BMI

Childhood obesity is more than excess weight—it is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications. For Indian children, assessment should incorporate an India-specific lens, with evaluation of both overall and central adiposity.

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) 2023 guidelines recommend using the IAP 2015 BMI charts to diagnose overweight and obesity in children aged 5–18 years. The guidelines also recommend that waist circumference be routinely measured in all overweight and obese children and plotted against India-specific reference charts, as it is an important measure of cardiometabolic risk. All children with obesity aged ≥10 years should be evaluated for obesity-related comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

The clinical opportunity is clear: identify risk early and intervene early. Management of childhood obesity should extend beyond weight alone, with emphasis on healthy dietary practices, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and reduced sedentary/screen time. A multimodal approach involving the child, family and relevant healthcare professionals is recommended.

In childhood obesity, the goal is not just a healthier weight—it is a healthier metabolic trajectory.

Reference:

1. Khadilkar V, Shah N, Harish R, et al. Indian Academy of Pediatrics Revised Guidelines on Evaluation, Prevention and Management of Childhood Obesity. Indian Pediatr. 2023;60:1013–1031.