More than 220 million children worldwide could be living with obesity by 2040 if urgent measures are not taken, according to a new international report released by the World Obesity Federation.
The 2026 World Obesity Atlas estimates that around 180 million children were obese globally in 2025, and the number could rise to 227 million among those aged 5 to 19 by 2040. The report also warns that over half a billion children could be overweight during the same period.
Rising risk of chronic diseases
The report cautions that the growing obesity crisis could have serious health consequences. By 2040, at least 120 million school-age children are expected to show early signs of chronic diseases linked to high body mass index (BMI).
A BMI of 30 or above is classified as obesity, while a BMI above 25 is considered overweight.
Johanna Ralston, Chief Executive of the World Obesity Federation, said the rise in childhood obesity reflects a global failure to treat the issue as a serious public health concern.
“It is not right to condemn a generation to obesity and the chronic and potentially fatal non-communicable diseases that often accompany it,” she said.
Countries with the highest numbers
According to the report, China currently has the highest number of children with high BMI, with about 62 million affected.
It is followed by India with around 41 million, and the United States with about 27 million children experiencing obesity or overweight conditions.
In the United States, nearly two in five children are classified as either overweight or obese.
In the United Kingdom, around 3.8 million children have high BMI, making it one of the worst-performing countries in Europe in terms of childhood obesity rates.
Long-term health concerns
Health experts warn that rising obesity levels could lead to a sharp increase in serious conditions among young people.
In the UK alone, projections suggest that by 2040 around 370,000 children could develop early signs of cardiovascular disease, while about 271,000 may show symptoms of hypertension.
Experts say these trends highlight the urgent need for stronger preventive measures.
Call for stronger policies
The report urges governments to take stronger action to create healthier environments for children.
Recommended measures include taxes on sugary drinks, restrictions on junk food advertising, clear front-of-pack nutrition labels, and policies that encourage physical activity.
Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, a regional adviser on nutrition and obesity at the World Health Organization, said childhood obesity reflects broader environmental challenges.
“What we need is the political will to take action and stand up to industry interference,” he said.
Experts say that without decisive intervention, childhood obesity could become one of the most significant global health challenges of the coming decades.