Srinagar, May 1: Nearly one in every 10 children under the age of five in J&K is overweight, even before they enter school! The all-India average for overweight children is one in 30. This is a worrying shift in child health trends, casting a shadow over the health of a growing generation.
Data from the report Children in India 2025, a publication of Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, about 9.6% of under-five children in J&K are overweight for their height. This is almost three times the national average of around 3.4%. These findings point to a growing but under-recognised nutrition challenge in J&K.
Traditionally, child health across the nation, including J&K has been viewed through the lens of undernutrition. That concern continues. The same report shows that around 21% of children under five are still underweight for their age. However, the rising share of overweight children signals a broader shift in health profile. This is precisely what experts describe as the “double burden” of malnutrition.
“This is not just about how much children are eating, but what they are eating,” said Prof Shariq Masoodi, a noted endocrinologist and former head Endocrinology at SKIMS Soura. He said the diets are increasingly high in processed, calorie-dense foods, combined with reduced physical activity and are contributing to unhealthy weight gain in adults as well as in very young children.The data shows that weight issues affect boys and girls equally – about 10.1% of boys are overweight compared to 9.1% of girls.
Health experts caution that being overweight in early childhood can have long-term consequences. It has been seen that children who gain excess weight at a young age are more likely to remain overweight into adolescence and adulthood. This increases their risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions.
While public discussions have surrounded the consumption of ultra-processed foods in schools, the concerning incidence of overweight children shows that the nutrition in J&K homes is going off the mark right from the beginning, even before the school starts for them.
Dr Farooq Mir, a well-known pediatrician in Srinagar said that parents need to put a complete stop on the habit of feeding their children chocolates, chips, candies and sweetened beverages. “It is not a sign of love that you get your children candies and pastries, but a sign that their health is being compromised,” he said. He said that healthy eating habits must be inculcated very young in children. “It starts from weaning. Feed children fruits, vegetables and a natural nutrient-rich diet rather than foods that will make them have diabetes or heart diseases when they grow-up,” he said.
Doctors believe the trend calls for a shift in public health messaging. “Efforts to combat under-nutrition must continue, but there is a growing need to promote balanced diets, appropriate portion sizes, and awareness around early childhood nutrition.”
