A recent UNICEF study, conducted by the United Nations agency, reveals a historic shift in child nutrition: for the first time, more children worldwide are obese than underweight. Approximately 188 million children and young people—about one in ten aged five to 19—are now affected by obesity. This change is linked to diets increasingly dominated by ultra‑processed, high‑calorie foods that are relatively cheap.
The study, which analyzed data from over 190 countries, shows that underweight prevalence among 5‑ to 19‑year‑olds has fallen since 2000, dropping from nearly 13 % to 9.2 %. In contrast, obesity rates have risen from 3 % to 9.4 %, meaning almost one in ten children is now obese. Overall, the number of overweight children—including those who are obese—has climbed to an estimated 391 million worldwide.
Obesity, a severe form of overweight, raises the risk of type‑2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life. UNICEF notes that the term “malnourished” now encompasses both underweight children and those suffering from obesity, reflecting its impact on health and development.
The highest child‑obesity rates are found in some Pacific Island states: Niue (38 %), the Cook Islands (37 %) and Nauru (33 %). High‑income nations also face significant challenges, with Chile (27 %), the United States (21 %) and the United Arab Emirates (21 %) reporting similar prevalence among children aged five to 19.
UNICEF’s executive director, Catherine Russell, stresses the need for targeted interventions to tackle the double burden of malnutrition—both stunting and obesity. She emphasizes that nutritious, affordable food must be accessible to every child to support healthy growth and development, and calls for policies that help parents and caregivers obtain healthy foods.
The agency recommends several actions for governments: remove ultra‑processed foods from school canteens, impose taxes on unhealthy foods and drinks, encourage producers to reformulate products with fewer harmful ingredients, and shield policy‑making from interference by the ultra‑processed food industry. The report estimates that the global economic impact of overweight and obesity could exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035, underscoring the urgency of these measures.
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