Happiest Health successfully concluded the third edition of its flagship Get Set, Grow! Children’s Wellness Summit at St. John’s Auditorium, Bengaluru. The event brought together parents, children, and leading experts for a full day of interactive learning, creative exploration, and evidence-based conversations on children’s health. This year, the summit placed a sharp focus on one of India’s growing wellness concerns—childhood obesity. According to recent national surveys and UNICEF reports, rates of overweight and obesity among children have steadily risen over the last five years, prompting increasing concern among policymakers and health administrators.
Panel Discussion Addresses the Urgency of Childhood Obesity
Against this concerning backdrop, the summit hosted a pivotal panel discussion on “Children and Obesity: A Growing Concern and Ways to Tackle It.” Sunitha Rao, Senior Editor at Happiest Health, moderated the discussion, which featured insights from Dr. Shivaram HV, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Aster RV Hospital, and Dr. Rajiv Aggarwal, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Intensivist & Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals. Moreover, the summit expanded its lens beyond physical health through a dedicated session on adolescent mental health by Dr. Girishchandra, Medical Director & Senior Consultant, Psychiatry, Maarga Mind Care, emphasising the essential connection between emotional and physical well-being.
Interactive Sessions Inspire Creativity and Learning
In addition to expert discussions, the summit offered immersive, hands-on experiences. These activities encouraged curiosity and creativity among children aged 5 to 14. Aparna Athreya of the Bangalore Storytelling Society led an engaging storytelling session. Roli Jain from Craft Panchayat conducted a mosaic art workshop. Furthermore, high-energy activities—including a Treasure Hunt and Minute-to-Win-It challenges—created an exciting and joyful atmosphere for families.
Experts Call for Early Intervention and Shared Responsibility
As per the press release, Sharing his perspective, Dr. Rajiv Aggarwal stressed, “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 shows how urgent the issue has become. 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 accelerate that shift and help nurture a healthier, better-informed generation.”
Similarly, Dr. Shivaram HV highlighted the need for collective action. He remarked, “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, we are nearing a critical tipping point. Addressing this requires more than just awareness—it demands shared responsibility across families, schools, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Consistent, everyday habits drive sustainable change. Initiatives like this help build that momentum and empower young minds to make healthier choices from the very beginning.”
Leadership Insights Highlight the Value of Practical Wellness Guidance
Reflecting on the summit’s impact, Raghu Krishnan, Co–Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge, Happiest Health, noted, “Today’s conversations showed how much parents value clear, credible guidance on building healthy habits for their children. We believe the summit has encouraged families to turn awareness into action, inspiring us to create more meaningful platforms that support children in living healthier, more active lives.”
Adding to this, Ravi Joshi, Co–Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge, Happiest Health, observed, “The enthusiasm and curiosity from children and parents reaffirm the power of experiential learning. Through creative activities and expert-led sessions, families discovered that wellness can be enjoyable, practical, and part of everyday life. This edition of Get Set, Grow! strengthens our commitment to delivering science-backed, engaging experiences that help children develop healthy habits early and sustain them throughout life.”
Continued Commitment to Building Health-Aware Communities
Through initiatives like Get Set, Grow!, Happiest Health remains steadfast in its mission to build informed, health-aware communities. Insights and experiences from the summit will guide future programmes that empower families to navigate evolving wellness challenges with confidence.