A World Obesity Federation report has raised the alarm over the rapid increase of obesity among schoolchildren in Punjab, warning that the province is on course for a severe diabetes crisis if swift action is not taken.
The international study places Pakistan fifth worldwide for childhood obesity, with Punjab showing the fastest rise in both overweight students and related health complications.
It highlights that nearly 28 per cent of Pakistani children are overweight, while about 16% are obese with the highest concentration found in Punjab's primary and middle schools both in the public and private sectors.
Researchers link the trend to an unhealthy mix of processed food consumption, sugary drinks and sedentary lifestyle that limits physical exercise among children.
Health specialists in Lahore caution that early-onset type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, once rare in children, are becoming common.
Public health analyst Professor Mazhar Mahmood warned that if current patterns continue, Punjab could see the number of overweight and diabetic children double by 2050, straining hospitals and increasing healthcare costs dramatically.
Urbanisation is a key driver In Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpind and other big cities where fast-food outlets have multiplied and screen-based entertainment has replaced outdoor play.
Many neighbourhoods lack safe playgrounds, making daily physical activity a challenge for young students. Both government and private schools are facing shortage of playgrounds.
School administrators reported that children are consuming calorie-dense snacks and sugary beverages during breaks, compounding the issue.
The World Obesity Federation urged the provincial government to implement comprehensive measures, including school-based nutrition programmes, mandatory physical education, and stricter regulation of high-calorie food sales near educational institutions.
Experts also recommend campaigns to educate parents about balanced diet and the dangers of excessive sugar intake.
The Punjab health authorities have initiated awareness campaigns, but the experts believe these efforts fall short of the scale needed to address the crisis.
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