Real-World Primary Healthcare (PHC) Transformation to Tackle Child Obesity

India is projected to house over 27 million children and adolescents with obesity by 2030, with related economic costs soaring from USD 29 billion to USD 839 billion by 2060. Yet childhood obesity remains a policy blind spot—absent from core targets in POSHAN 2.0, RBSK, and Ayushman Bharat.

Developed from an expert roundtable at Healthy Hubba (IISc Bengaluru), this paper delivers a fiscally responsible, politically feasible pathway to transform Primary Health Care. It positions childhood obesity as the 13th core CPHC service and aligns PHC, schools, and district governance into a unified prevention architecture.

Key takeaways for public health leaders and policymakers:

• Integrate BMI screening, risk stratification, and non-stigmatizing family counselling into routine PHC and school workflows
• Deploy a four-reform system: PHC Service Delivery, Schools as Prevention Hubs, Governance & Convergence, and Behaviour Reframing
• Achieve a Benefit-Cost Ratio of ~9,663:1—every USD 1 invested returns nearly USD 10,000 in discounted future benefits
• Execute a 24-month phased roadmap within existing NHM, RBSK, and Samagra Shiksha budgets
• Align with SDG 3, SDG 2.2, and Viksit Bharat 2047 without displacing undernutrition priorities

Authored by Apoorva Mahajan, Nameeda Khaiser Syeda, and Nupur Lilaramani. Expert guidance from Dr. Sreehari Madhavankutty Nair (NHM Kerala), Dr. Sumathi Swaminathan (St. John's Research Institute), Mr. Sridhar Ranganathan (HELYXON), and Dr. Syama B Syam (Swasti Health Catalyst). Moderated by Mr. Raj Veeravalli (Apeiro). Commissioned by Hlty Beings and Solutionec.