Childhood obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition globally, according to a new United Nations report that warns ultra-processed foods are overwhelming children’s diets.
The report, released by UNICEF, found that 9.4% of children and teenagers between ages 5 and 19 are now obese, compared with 9.2% who are underweight. This marks the first time obesity has become more prevalent than being underweight in this age group. In 2000, nearly 13% of young people were underweight while only 3% were obese.
Rising Numbers Across Regions
UNICEF estimated that 188 million school-aged children and adolescents are living with obesity, representing one in 10 globally. The problem is no longer confined to wealthier nations. Low- and middle-income countries, where modern retail outlets, food delivery apps, and aggressive marketing have made processed foods widely available, have seen the steepest increases.
The report showed Childhood Obesity has overtaken underweight in every region except South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where food insecurity continues to drive stunting and wasting. Still, even in these regions, overweight rates are climbing.
Pacific Island nations recorded the highest obesity prevalence, with Niue at 38% and the Cook Islands at 37% among 5- to 19-year-olds. Wealthier countries also reported high rates, including Chile at 27%, the United States at 21%, and the United Arab Emirates at 21%. In the United Kingdom, childhood obesity increased from 9% in 2000 to 11% in 2022.
Health and Economic Impact
Health experts warn the trend will have serious long-term consequences. Childhood obesity is linked to higher risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers later in life. Nomathemba Chandiwana, chief scientific officer at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, said that Childhood Obesity in children is often overlooked in regions where undernutrition remains common.
“About one in eight children are overweight or have obesity, while one in four are stunted,” she said. “That double burden is shaping a generation’s health.”
The economic toll is also expected to be severe. UNICEF previously estimated that by 2035, the global cost of overweight andChildhood Obesity will exceed $4 trillion annually.
Food Environments Under Scrutiny
The report, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children, analyzed data from more than 190 countries in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the World Bank. It found that ultra-processed foods—such as sugary cereals, fizzy drinks, packaged snacks, and ready-to-eat meals—have displaced traditional diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
These foods are often cheaper and more accessible than fresh alternatives, particularly in urbanized areas. They are also heavily marketed to children through digital platforms, schools, and retail outlets, creating what the report describes as an “inescapable” environment.
Calls for Policy Action
UNICEF urged governments to take stronger measures to protect children, including banning the sale and promotion of ultra-processed foods in schools, introducing clear labeling, imposing taxes on unhealthy products, and offering subsidies to make nutritious foods more affordable.
The report highlighted Mexico’s ban on the sale of ultra-processed foods in schools as a positive step. However, it warned that the food and beverage industry’s lobbying practices continue to undermine public health efforts.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, stressed the urgency of addressing the issue: “When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children. Childhood Obesity is a growing concern, and nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development, and mental health.”
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