For the first time in history, more children globally are classified as obese than underweight, according to a new UNICEF report highlighting a concerning trend in childhood nutrition.
Global childhood obesity rates have tripled between 2000 and 2022, driven largely by the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and aggressive junk food marketing, according to a recent analysis by UNICEF. This alarming trend has emerged in over 190 countries, marking a significant shift in the nutritional landscape for children.
For the first time ever, the number of children classified as obese has surpassed those who are underweight. UNICEF’s findings indicate that approximately one in ten school-aged children—around 188 million worldwide—meets the World Health Organization’s criteria for obesity. Additionally, one in five children under the age of 19, or about 391 million, is considered overweight. The distinction between overweight and obesity is critical, as obesity represents a more severe condition that significantly increases the risk of serious health issues later in life.
Between 2000 and 2022, the global obesity rate among children aged five to 19 surged from 3% to 9.4%. During the same period, the prevalence of underweight children declined from nearly 13% to 9.2%. “When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a press release. She emphasized that the rise of ultra-processed foods is replacing essential nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, and proteins, which are vital for children’s growth, cognitive development, and mental health.
While undernutrition remains a significant issue in many parts of the world, obesity has become increasingly common, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The report identifies obesity hotspots, revealing that rates have doubled since the 2000s, even in regions still grappling with undernutrition. In small Pacific Island nations like Niue and the Cook Islands, nearly 40% of young people are classified as obese.
In wealthier nations, the consumption of ultra-processed foods has reached alarming levels, with these foods accounting for more than half of adolescents’ caloric intake. In Chile, for instance, 27% of children aged five to 19 are living with obesity, while the rates in the United States and the United Arab Emirates stand at 21%.
In response to this growing crisis, health professionals in affluent countries like the U.S. are increasingly advocating for the use of new weight-loss medications for teenagers. “Obesity is not a failure of parents or children. It’s the result of toxic food environments,” remarked Chris Van Tulleken, a professor and UNICEF supporter, in an interview with Reuters.
The report highlights the serious health risks associated with obesity, including a higher likelihood of developing insulin resistance, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. Experts attribute the rise in obesity not only to the consumption of ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fat but also to the pervasive marketing of junk food.
A survey conducted by UNICEF involving 64,000 young people across 170 countries revealed that 75% had encountered advertisements for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food in the previous week. Alarmingly, even in conflict zones, 68% of respondents reported exposure to such advertising. In low-income countries, 65% of young people were similarly exposed, often through schools, social media, sporting events, and children’s programming.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. recently released the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, which underscores the role of ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and various environmental and dietary factors in the rising rates of obesity and chronic disease among American children. The report indicates that the administration will consider developing guidelines to limit the direct marketing of unhealthy foods to children.
UNICEF is calling on governments worldwide to take immediate action by imposing restrictions on junk food marketing and banning unhealthy products in schools. In Mexico, where childhood obesity is prevalent and sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods constitute 40% of children’s daily caloric intake, the government has already enacted a ban on the sale and distribution of these products in public schools.
The agency warns that without swift and decisive action, the ongoing trend of rising childhood obesity threatens to lead to a surge in diabetes, heart disease, and other serious health problems for future generations.
Source: Original article