It is no surprise that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are growing up in a world where screen time outpaces playtime and what makes them happy are “likes,” not laughter. But beneath those glowing filters and fast-forwarded Instagram reels lies a growing concern that is anything but virtual: adolescent obesity.
According to Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker, consultant bariatric and laparoscopic surgeon at MetaHeal, Mumbai, this issue is snowballing at a pace we can no longer ignore. A recent survey by the Early Childhood Association (ECA-APER) and the Poddar Institute of Education has laid bare some rather alarming truths: 45 percent of Indian children today are overweight, and a staggering 67 percent spend less than an hour outdoors daily.
“Kids are not just carrying backpacks heavier than their ambitions anymore,” says Dr. Bhasker. “They are also shouldering the weight of an unhealthy future.”
But this is not just a modern problem. In 1998, only 74 percent of Delhi’s kids were overweight. Fast forward to today, and you would be troubled to find a classroom where almost half the students are not tipping the scales. Obesity is no longer a cosmetic concern; it is a full-blown medical condition with complications tagging along from adolescence well into adulthood.
“Being chubby is not a sign of good health,” says Dr. Bhasker firmly. Obesity in adolescents is tied to a grim suite of risks: early puberty, sleep apnoea, fatty liver, early onset type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased risk of heart disease.
And then there is the mental toll
“In an era where self-worth is quantified by double taps, the psychological burden of obesity stigma is immense,” she adds. Low self-esteem, body image issues, anxiety, and depression are becoming disturbingly common.
Why is this happening?
According to Dr. Bhasker, the roots of obesity are complex and deeply intertwined. It is a biological, psychological, and environmental maelstrom. Genetic predisposition is one part of the puzzle, but so is the dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, sensory stimulation, and even the gut microbiota. Appetite issues, she explains, are not the cause of obesity but a symptom of deeper neuro-hormonal chaos.
Let us not forget the environment
“Genetics loads the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger,” Dr. Bhasker says. Energy-dense, ultra-processed foods are not just easily accessible; they are aggressively marketed with cartoon mascots, shiny packaging, and influencer endorsement. Combine that with sedentary lifestyles, academic stress, and shrinking play spaces. That is a public health disaster!
So, what can we do before our kids start needing cholesterol meds?
The solution has to start at home. Parents must model healthy eating and active living. “Children emulate their parents,” says Dr. Bhasker. Family meals, outdoor games, and even the simple act of walking together can lay the foundation for lifelong habits.
What is the solution?
Schools must also step up by ditching the samosas in the canteen and creating space for physical activity, not just physics tuition. And at a policy level, Dr. Bhasker calls for urgent regulation of junk food advertising, sugary drink sales, and misleading health claims that target children.
But for those already in the grip of obesity, prevention is not enough. Treatment must be compassionate, holistic, and tailored. Options range from lifestyle changes and psychological support to medication and even bariatric surgery in severe cases. “Children who develop obesity early tend to live with it longer and suffer consequences earlier,” she warns.
