Overview On 15 February 2026 , Medicover Women and Child Hospitals, Hyderabad inaugurated a dedicated Growth and Childhood Obesity Clinic , bringing together paediatric and endocrine specialists to focus on early detection, prevention and structured intervention for childhood obesity and growth disorders. The launch was graced by senior child‑health experts, notably Usha Rani T , President‑Elect of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Twin Cities chapter . This initiative underscores the rising public‑health challenge of overweight and under‑nourished children in urban India. Key Developments Development 1: Establishment of a multidisciplinary clinic that integrates paediatric, endocrine, nutrition and behavioural expertise to address both obesity and poor growth velocity among school‑going children. Development 2: Public acknowledgment by leading paediatricians that 20‑25% of urban schoolchildren are overweight or obese, signalling a shift from traditional under‑nutrition focus to a dual‑burden health agenda. Development 3: Emphasis on a collaborative model involving paediatricians, parents and schools to inculcate healthier habits from early childhood, aiming to curb long‑term metabolic, cardiovascular and psychosocial complications. Important Facts Fact 1: Studies indicate that nearly 20‑25% of urban school‑going children in India are either overweight or obese. Fact 2: A significant proportion of children exhibit poor growth velocity due to nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or sedentary lifestyles, increasing risk of early‑onset obesity and its sequelae. UPSC Relevance This development touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas: Health and Nutrition under GS‑II (Social Justice, Welfare and Human Development), the Public Health Policy framework under GS‑III (Technology, Economic Development), and the Child Welfare components of the National Health Policy 2017 and subsequent updates. Potential question angles include the dual burden of malnutrition, role of private‑sector initiatives in health delivery, and policy measures to combat childhood obesity. Way Forward Scaling such clinics across metros and tier‑2 cities, integrating them with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) , and strengthening school‑based nutrition and physical‑activity programmes are essential. Policy recommendations include incentivising public‑private partnerships, mandating regular growth monitoring in schools, and launching awareness campaigns targeting parents and educators.