For the first time in history, more children around the world are obese than underweight, according to a major UNICEF study.
Nearly 1 in 10 people aged 5 to 19 are living with obesity. Researchers blame the growing reliance on ultra-processed foods, which are cheaper but packed with calories.
UNICEF, a UN agency for children, is urging governments to protect kids from unhealthy diets and stop the processed food industry from influencing policy decisions.
Obesity and Malnutrition
Until recently, “malnutrition” was often used to describe children who were too thin or underweight. That has changed. Today, the term also includes the health risks of obesity, which is now a growing concern even in poorer countries.
A child is considered overweight if they are much heavier than the healthy weight range for their age, gender, and height. Obesity is a more severe form, linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers later in life.
Good nutrition in childhood, including fruits, vegetables, and protein, is vital for growth, learning, and mental health. But traditional diets are being replaced by processed foods high in sugar, starch, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the challenges of obesity must not be underestimated, calling it a “growing concern” that threatens children’s health and development.
1 in 10 Children Are Now Obese
Malnutrition, including wasting and stunted growth, remains a serious issue for children under five in many low and middle-income countries.
But UNICEF’s latest data shows that since 2000, the number of underweight children aged 5 to 19 has dropped from 13 percent to 9.2 percent. At the same time, obesity has risen from 3 percent to 9.4 percent, meaning nearly one in ten children is now obese.
The number of overweight children has also surged, with one in five school-aged kids and teenagers now heavier than the healthy range. Globally, about 391 million children are overweight or obese.
Obesity rates have overtaken underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Some Pacific Island nations have the highest levels, including Niue (38 percent), Cook Islands (37 percent), and Nauru (33 percent).
But wealthy countries are also struggling. Among children aged 5 to 19, obesity affects 27 percent in Chile, 21 percent in the United States, and 21 percent in the United Arab Emirates.
Russell said many countries are now facing a “double burden” of malnutrition, with both stunting and obesity present. “We need targeted action. Every child should have access to nutritious and affordable food to support their growth and development,” she said.
A Call to Action
UNICEF warned that doing nothing will carry huge health and economic costs. The report estimates that by 2035, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity could exceed 4 trillion US dollars a year.
It is urging governments to act, including stronger food labeling and marketing rules. Other measures could involve banning ultra-processed foods from school canteens, introducing taxes on unhealthy food and drinks, and pushing food companies to reformulate products to reduce harmful ingredients.
The report also calls for shielding policymaking from industry influence. It suggests banning food and drink producers from taking part in policy design and requiring full transparency on political lobbying.
