Kashmir’s Growing Waistline
Childhood Obesity Emerges as Silent Health Crisis
Sharp rise in adult obesity in J&K signals urgent need for early intervention among children
Doctors warn unhealthy diets, screen addiction and declining outdoor activity are putting young lives at risk
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: What was once considered a problem confined to affluent societies is now steadily becoming a major public health challenge in Jammu & Kashmir. From urban classrooms to living rooms dominated by screens and fast food, childhood obesity is quietly tightening its grip on the younger generation, prompting health experts to sound the alarm over a looming health emergency.
Recent data presented by Professor Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan of the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, paints a worrying picture. According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 15-49 years in Jammu & Kashmir has risen sharply over the last five years. Among women, obesity levels increased from 36.1 percent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 42.8 percent in NFHS-6, while men too registered a significant rise.
Health experts believe this growing adult obesity burden has its roots in childhood lifestyle patterns that are rapidly changing across the region.
Though NFHS-6 does not yet provide official figures for childhood obesity in Jammu & Kashmir, school-based studies cited by doctors suggest that nearly 8 to 15 percent of children in the Union Territory are overweight, while 3 to 8 percent are obese. The prevalence is reportedly higher in urban areas and among affluent households where sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits are becoming increasingly common.
“Childhood obesity is an emerging public health concern in Jammu & Kashmir. If we fail to act early, the consequences will be severe in the coming decades,” Dr. Khan said in the public health awareness document issued recently.
Doctors attribute the rise to multiple factors. Fast food culture, sugary drinks, bakery products, processed snacks and low intake of fruits and vegetables have drastically altered traditional Kashmiri eating habits. Simultaneously, outdoor play and physical activity among children have declined due to increasing screen time, changing lifestyles, academic pressure and shrinking playground spaces.
Experts say many children today spend hours on mobile phones, televisions and gaming devices while engaging in little or no physical exercise. Lack of walking or cycling to schools and growing dependence on motor transport have further reduced daily physical movement.
The health consequences are already becoming visible. Obese children are increasingly at risk of developing high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, joint pain and reduced physical fitness at a young age.
Beyond physical illness, doctors warn of serious psychological impacts including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, bullying and poor academic performance. Studies across India have shown that overweight children often face social stigma and emotional distress, which can affect their long-term mental health.
Medical experts caution that childhood obesity rarely remains limited to childhood alone. Obese children are far more likely to become obese adults, exposing them to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, osteoarthritis and certain cancers later in life. Reduced life expectancy is another growing concern.
To tackle the crisis, health professionals are strongly advocating preventive measures beginning at home, schools and community levels.
Parents are being encouraged to adopt healthier family routines such as eating meals together, promoting outdoor activities, discouraging screen-time eating and becoming role models through healthier lifestyles. Schools are being urged to introduce daily sports periods, active classrooms and regular health screenings for students.
Doctors also stress the importance of following the globally recommended “5-2-1-0 Rule” for children — five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, less than two hours of recreational screen time, at least one hour of physical activity and zero sugary drinks.
Public health experts say the fight against childhood obesity requires a collective effort involving families, schools, healthcare professionals and the government. Improving parks and playgrounds, ensuring safe walking and cycling infrastructure and restricting aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods targeting children are among the measures experts believe can help reverse the trend.
As Jammu & Kashmir continues to undergo rapid social and lifestyle changes, doctors warn that ignoring childhood obesity today could result in an unprecedented health burden tomorrow.
“A healthy child today means a healthy Jammu & Kashmir tomorrow,” the awareness document states — a message experts say must become a priority for every household in the region.
