Experts raise alarm as study finds 29% city kids overweight or obese

Time of India

4 days ago

Lucknow: Childhood obesity is emerging as a major health concern in the city, with doctors warning that it is leading to serious metabolic complications at an early age.
The issue was raised by experts at a recent event held at a private hotel.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
They highlighted a study published in the International Journal of Research and Review (2024), which revealed that 29.7% of children aged 6–12 in Lucknow are either overweight or obese — nearly three times the national average of 8.4%.
The study, titled, "Prevalence of Childhood Obesity and Overweight Among 6–12-Year-Old Children in the City and Its Association with Socio-Demographic Factors," found that 13.6% of boys and 14.4% of girls in this age group were obese, according to lead researcher Richa Singh, who conducted the study on 509 students from both private and govt schools.
Speaking to TOI about the issue, Dr Moinak Sen Sarma, associate professor in the department of paediatric gastroenterology at SGPGI, highlighted the growing clinical burden. "Ten years ago, we used to see one or two such children a month. Now, at least 7 to 10 children visit every month with obesity and associated conditions," he said. "These children not only have obesity but also come with a combination of gallstones, diabetes, constipation, and fatty liver.
"
Explaining the mechanism behind fatty liver, Prof Sen said, "The liver functions like the Reserve Bank of India—it stores nutrients like glucose and releases them when needed. When there's excess intake and reduced physical activity, the liver converts the surplus into fat and stores it. Over time, this excess fat leads to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), even in children."
He added that fatty liver is now being detected in children as young as five.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"If a school-going child remains overweight with low physical activity, it's a red flag," said Prof Sen.
Dr Puneet Mehrotra, a gastroenterologist, said, "Nearly 30% of children in this age group are now obese or overweight. This reflects early metabolic dysfunction." He noted that many children present with symptoms like abdominal pain and visible changes in the liver. "When parents finally bring the child to the clinic, liver function tests often show elevated enzyme levels (SGOT, SGPT), and ultrasounds reveal fatty liver.
In some cases, we also find gallbladder stones."
According to Dr Mehrotra, childhood obesity is frequently part of a larger cluster of health issues known as metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, fatty liver, and early-stage diabetes. "Parents should also watch for signs like darkening of the skin behind the neck, which can indicate insulin resistance," he added.
Prof Shally Awasthy, former head of paediatrics at King George's Medical University (KGMU), explained further signs of concern.
"Stretch marks on the abdomen, persistent stomach pain, and an expanding waistline in children are all indicators of internal organ stress, particularly liver enlargement due to fat accumulation," she said.
Doctors unanimously stressed the importance of lifestyle changes. "Children are spending more time on screens and less on physical activity. This imbalance between calorie intake and expenditure is worsening the situation," said Dr Sen.
Health experts are urging parents and schools to focus on early intervention through diet management, physical exercise, and regular screening. "We don't need magic pills; what we need is a conscious effort to promote healthy lifestyles starting at home," said Dr Mehrotra.