NEW DELHI: Indian teenagers eat and drink outside a street food stall yesterday. — AP photo NEW DELHI: Indian teenagers eat and drink outside a street food stall yesterday. — AP photo

NEW DELHI: India’s health minister says the number of obese teenagers in the country has nearly doubled over the last five years, with economic growth fueling lifestyle changes including a fondness for fast food.

Health experts said yesterday that changing diets were to blame, along with an increase in sedentary activities like driving a car, watching TV and using a computer.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda cited the government’s national family health survey as showing 29 percent of Indian teens are obese, compared with 16 percent five years ago.

He said the rise in obesity among 13- to 18- year-olds is alarming. Rising incomes have allowed India’s middle class to grow quickly, while fueling the proliferation of Western-style fast food chains in cities and suburbs. —AP