‘Get Set, Grow!’ Hyderabad kids’ wellness summit focuses on rising obesity, holistic well-being

Hyderabad: The third edition of the ‘Get Set, Grow! Children’s Wellness Summit,’ organised by Happiest Health at St. John’s Auditorium, brought together over 100 children and parents for a day focused on rising childhood obesity and holistic well-being.

With national surveys and UNICEF reports showing a steady increase in childhood overweight and obesity over the past five years, the summit addressed what experts describe as a growing public health concern.

Rising childhood obesity takes centre stage

A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled ‘Children and Obesity: A Growing Concern and Ways to Tackle It.’ The session, moderated by Sunitha Rao, Senior Editor, Happiest Health, featured expert insights from:

• Dr Shivaram HV, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Aster RV Hospital

• Dr Rajiv Aggarwal, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Intensivist and Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals

Panellists examined India’s increasing burden of lifestyle-related illnesses in children, including early-onset diabetes.

Parents, educators and caregivers should show the path

Dr Rajiv Aggarwal noted the urgency of the situation, saying, “Obesity is emerging as a serious epidemic across age groups, with children being affected far earlier than before. The rise in early-onset diabetes and related complications further highlights the urgency of the problem. But the path forward is clear: a healthier future begins with the habits we model as parents, educators and caregivers. When positive behaviours start at the top, children naturally follow. Platforms like this play a vital role in accelerating that shift, helping us cultivate a generation that grows up stronger, healthier, and better informed.”

Echoing the call for early intervention, Dr Shivaram HV added, “Rising lifestyle-related health issues among children signal an urgent need for early intervention. With 10–12% of India’s children already classified as obese, the country is approaching a critical tipping point.”

Addressing this demands more than awareness, it requires shared responsibility across families, schools, healthcare professionals and policymakers, the doctor said.

“Sustainable change is driven by consistent, everyday habits reinforced at every level of society. Initiatives like these help create that momentum, fostering a long-term, positive shift that empowers young minds to make healthier choices from the very beginning.”

Mental health discussed alongside physical well-being

The summit also expanded its scope to include adolescent emotional health. Dr Girishchandra, Medical Director and Senior Consultant – Psychiatry, Maarga Mind Care, led a session on adolescent mental health, highlighting the need to address psychological well-being in parallel with physical wellness.

Children engage through creative and interactive learning

Beyond expert-led discussions, the event offered hands-on, immersive experiences aimed at children aged 5 to 14. Activities included:

• An interactive storytelling session by Aparna Athreya, Bangalore Storytelling Society

• A mosaic art workshop by Roli Jain, Craft Panchayat

• High-energy tasks such as a Treasure Hunt and Minute-to-Win-It games

Organisers noted that the experiential format encouraged children to view wellness as part of everyday life.

Promoting platforms for health

Reflecting on the participation, Raghu Krishnan, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge, Happiest Health, said, “Today’s conversations highlighted how deeply parents value clear, credible guidance on nurturing healthier habits for their children. We are positive that the summit has helped families translate awareness into everyday action, and it motivates us to continue creating meaningful platforms that support India’s children in leading healthier, more active lives.”

Sharing his observations, Ravi Joshi, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge, Happiest Health, added,

“The enthusiasm and curiosity we saw from children and parents today reaffirm how powerful experiential learning can be. Through creative activities and expert-led sessions, families discovered that wellness can be enjoyable, practical, and part of their daily lives. This edition of ‘Get Set, Grow!’ strengthens our commitment to delivering science-backed, engaging experiences that help children build healthy habits early and carry them forward with confidence.”

Continued commitment to child wellness

Happiest Health emphasised that the insights and interactions from this year’s summit will shape future initiatives aimed at helping families navigate evolving wellness challenges. Through programmes such as ‘Get Set, Grow!’, the organisation aims to build informed, health-aware communities equipped to support children in developing long-term healthy habits.