India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 13 March 2026
WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk have announced a new collaboration to address childhood obesity in India, focusing on prevention through a scalable school health program.
The initiative will provide financial support to strengthen obesity prevention efforts and improve health-system readiness, aligning with the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme and the WHO Health Promoting Schools framework.
The program aims to build healthier school environments in selected districts by integrating health screening, lifestyle education, and mental health support for children and adolescents. The goal is early risk identification and stronger links between schools and primary health care systems. By embedding prevention into daily school life, the initiative hopes to reduce the growing burden of childhood obesity across communities.
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According to the World Health Organization, overweight and obesity now cause more deaths globally than underweight and are closely linked to noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Childhood obesity also raises the risk of long-term health complications, making obesity prevention at an early age critical.
“India’s growing burden of obesity highlights the importance of prevention-first approaches that reach people early and strengthen health systems for the long term,” said Anil Soni, chief executive officer of the WHO Foundation. “Schools are the frontline of prevention. By integrating health screening and education directly into the school day, this collaboration aims to protect the well-being of the next generation, turning schools into enabling environments for healthy living.”
“Building healthier communities begins with empowering the youth to make informed choices,” said Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director of Novo Nordisk India. “Novo Nordisk’s collaboration with the WHO Foundation reflects our shared commitment to equipping school-aged children with the knowledge, confidence and lifelong habits needed to lead healthier lives.”
