India, Sept. 13 -- India is witnessing a rapid rise in overweight and obesity across all age groups, from its youngest children to adolescents and adults, experts cautioned at a UNICEF-organized national media roundtable on healthy diets held here today.

Countries in South Asia had the lowest prevalence of overweight in 2000. By 2022, the prevalence increased almost fivefold among children aged 5-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-19-year-olds.

Rising rates across India:

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, India is witnessing a rapid surge in overweight and obesity among under-five children, with prevalence rising by 127 per cent (from 1.5 per cent to 3.4 per cent between NFHS 3 (2005-06) to NFHS 5 (2019-21). Similarly...