New Delhi, October 15: The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised that tackling childhood obesity requires a comprehensive approach involving families, healthcare professionals, schools and communities, highlighting the importance of healthy eating, regular physical activity and sustained behavioural changes alongside appropriate medical care.
The renewed focus comes as childhood obesity continues to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide. Health experts have increasingly stressed that addressing the condition requires more than clinical treatment, as everyday routines, dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles and the social environment can influence children’s long-term health.
The WHO’s first global guidelines on the integrated management of obesity among children and adolescents, released on October 7, provide recommendations for delivering evidence-based and people-centred care. The guidance places structured lifestyle interventions at the centre of treatment and recognises the importance of support tailored to children’s ages, development and individual needs.
According to the WHO, approximately 170 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 were living with obesity in 2024. This included around 70 million children aged five to nine and 100 million adolescents aged 10 to 19. The prevalence of obesity in this age group has increased fourfold since 1990, rising from 2 per cent to 8 per cent.
The organisation has described obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease that requires appropriate and continuing care. Its consequences can begin early in life and increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
The guidelines also recognise that children living with obesity may experience bullying, discrimination and social stigma, making emotional well-being an important part of effective treatment.
Family habits play an important role
Families can contribute significantly to children’s health by creating routines that encourage nutritious eating, movement and adequate rest. The approach does not necessarily require abandoning traditional diets. Instead, households can review food preparation methods, portion sizes and the frequency of foods high in added sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.
Indian meals can include a variety of vegetables, pulses, whole grains, fruits and other nutrient-rich foods. However, the nutritional quality of a meal also depends on how ingredients are prepared and the overall balance of the diet.
Parents can help children develop healthier eating patterns by offering balanced meals, limiting the routine availability of sugary drinks and highly processed snacks, and encouraging regular meal times. Restrictive diets or sudden changes imposed without professional advice may not be appropriate for growing children, whose nutritional requirements vary with age and development.
The WHO guidance supports structured dietary interventions suited to individual circumstances rather than prescribing a single diet for every child.
Physical activity is another essential component. Families can encourage children to participate in outdoor games, walking, cycling, dancing and age-appropriate sports. Making movement a shared family activity can help establish sustainable habits without presenting exercise as a punishment for gaining weight.
Schools also have an important role in ensuring that children have opportunities for physical education, recreation and active participation. Safe playgrounds, accessible parks and community sports facilities can make regular movement easier, particularly for children living in crowded urban neighbourhoods.
Screen time and sleep require attention
Long periods of sedentary behaviour can reduce the time available for physical activity. Excessive recreational screen use may also become part of a wider pattern involving irregular sleep and frequent snacking.
Parents can establish reasonable boundaries around recreational screen time, encourage breaks from prolonged sitting and create opportunities for children to participate in activities away from electronic devices.
Adequate sleep should also be part of a family’s health routine. Consistent bedtimes, suitable sleeping environments and reduced screen exposure before bedtime can help children maintain healthier daily schedules.
These changes are most effective when adults follow similar habits themselves. Children are more likely to adopt healthy routines when they see parents and other family members making comparable choices.
The WHO recommends structured dietary, physical activity and behaviour-changing interventions for children and adolescents with obesity. Such programmes can be delivered individually or through a combination of approaches, depending on the needs of the child and the resources available.
Digital health interventions may also be considered under the guidance, provided parents or caregivers supervise their use where appropriate.
Medical treatment depends on age and clinical needs
The guidelines distinguish between younger children and adolescents when discussing medical interventions.
For children aged zero to nine, the WHO does not recommend pharmacological treatment, bariatric surgery or weight-loss devices for obesity. The emphasis remains on comprehensive lifestyle support and appropriate clinical care.
For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved medicines may be considered when a supervised programme combining lifestyle interventions has not achieved the desired results. Bariatric surgery may be considered for selected adolescents with severe obesity under strict conditions.
These recommendations do not mean that all adolescents with obesity should receive medication. Treatment decisions require professional assessment and consideration of the individual’s health, development, potential benefits and possible risks.
The WHO has also highlighted limitations in the available evidence concerning the long-term safety and effectiveness of some weight-loss medicines in younger populations. Continued research will be important in determining how these treatments should be used as evidence develops.
Parents should therefore avoid giving children weight-loss medicines or supplements without appropriate medical supervision. Online trends and adult weight-management practices should not be treated as substitutes for paediatric advice.
Preventing stigma is part of treatment
The psychological consequences of obesity can complicate care. Children who face teasing or repeated criticism about their appearance may experience distress, reduced confidence or reluctance to seek help.
The WHO’s approach recognises the importance of respectful, person-centred care. Healthcare workers and family members should discuss weight and health without shaming children or reducing their identity to a medical condition.
Consultations should focus on overall well being, healthy development and achievable changes rather than appearance alone. Families can also seek professional support when a child experiences emotional difficulties related to weight, eating habits or bullying.
Schools can reinforce this approach by promoting inclusive physical activities and discouraging harassment linked to body size.
Public health measures remain necessary
Individual efforts cannot fully address childhood obesity if healthy food and opportunities for physical activity remain difficult to access. The WHO’s broader approach points to the importance of supportive environments in homes, educational institutions and communities.
Governments and local authorities can contribute by improving access to nutritious foods, promoting healthier school environments and ensuring that children have safe places to play and exercise. Public awareness initiatives can help families understand nutrition without encouraging harmful dieting practices.
Healthcare systems also need pathways for early identification, assessment and continuing management. Primary healthcare providers can help families recognise health risks, access appropriate services and receive guidance suited to a child’s circumstances.
For India, the challenge includes addressing obesity while continuing to tackle undernutrition and other forms of malnutrition. Public health programmes must therefore focus on balanced nutrition, healthy growth and equitable access to healthcare rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy.
The WHO’s recommendations underline that childhood obesity management is a long-term responsibility shared by families, medical professionals, schools and policymakers. Sustainable improvements will depend on combining appropriate clinical care with healthier daily routines and environments that allow children to grow and develop without stigma.