A groundbreaking Unicef report reveals a stark reality: for the first time, more children globally are obese than underweight. This alarming statistic underscores a critical shift in childhood nutrition, impacting the health and development of millions. The study, encompassing data from over 190 countries, shows approximately 188 million children and adolescents (aged 5-19) are obese, representing roughly one in ten. This represents a significant increase from 3% in 2000 to 9.4% today.
The report points a finger at the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods. These readily available, inexpensive, and calorie-dense options are largely replacing traditional diets, rich in essential nutrients. This shift is contributing to a global rise in overweight and obese children. In fact, one in five school-age children and adolescents are now overweight, totaling an estimated 391 million children worldwide. This double burden of malnutrition – the coexistence of stunting and obesity – is prevalent in many nations.
The consequences are severe. Obesity is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life. Beyond physical health, poor nutrition also negatively impacts cognitive development and mental well-being throughout childhood. The economic implications are staggering; the report projects that by 2035, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity will exceed US$4 trillion annually.
While undernutrition remains a significant concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the decline in underweight children (from nearly 13% to 9.2% since 2000) is overshadowed by the dramatic rise in obesity. The highest rates of childhood obesity are observed in some Pacific Island states, but high-income countries also face alarmingly high rates (e.g., 27% in Chile, 21% in the US, and 21% in the UAE). Obesity now surpasses underweight in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Unicef urges governments to take immediate and decisive action. This includes implementing policies to protect children's diets, such as removing ultra-processed foods from school canteens, taxing unhealthy foods and beverages, and encouraging food manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce unhealthy ingredients. Crucially, Unicef emphasizes the need to shield policy-making from undue influence by the ultra-processed food industry, advocating for transparency in industry lobbying and a ban on industry involvement in policy development and implementation. The long-term health and economic well-being of future generations hinges on addressing this escalating global crisis.
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Originally published at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7v1e0jr9n8o
