A stark warning has been issued by UNICEF: globally, more school-aged children and adolescents are now obese than underweight. Their latest report reveals a staggering 188 million young people affected by this alarming trend. This surpasses underweight prevalence in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, based on data from over 190 countries.
The World Health Organization defines obesity as excessive fat accumulation posing a significant health risk. UNICEF clarifies that overweight children are significantly heavier than is healthy for their age, sex, and height, with obesity representing a severe form of overweight. This condition dramatically increases the risk of serious health issues, including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The scale of the problem is staggering. In the last 25 years, the number of overweight children has doubled, rising from 194 million to 391 million. A substantial portion of these children fall into the obese category. The highest obesity rates are observed in some Pacific Island nations, with alarming figures like 38% in Niue, 37% in the Cook Islands, and 33% in Nauru. High-income countries also show significant concerns, including 27% of 5- to 19-year-olds in Chile and 21% in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The root cause, in large part, lies in the increasing consumption of ultra-processed and fast foods high in sugar, refined starch, unhealthy fats, salt, and additives, which are often marketed directly to children. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasizes that malnutrition is no longer solely about underweight children; obesity is a growing concern impacting children's health and development. The replacement of nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and protein with ultra-processed options significantly undermines children's growth, cognitive development, and mental health.
Socioeconomic factors play a crucial role. In high-income countries, overweight children are more prevalent in poorer households with limited access to nutritious food. Conversely, in low-income countries, children from wealthier families, who can afford larger quantities of energy-dense food, are more likely to be overweight. Middle-income countries exhibit overweight prevalence across all income levels, due to the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods and drinks.
While the prevalence of underweight children aged 5-19 has decreased from nearly 13% to 9.2% since 2000, undernutrition remains a significant concern, particularly for children under 5 in low- and middle-income countries, manifesting as wasting or stunting.
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Originally published at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/10/health/childhood-obesity-unicef-intl-scli
