Childhood Obesity Surpasses Underweight Cases for the First Time, UNICEF Warns

For the first time in history, the number of children with obesity has surpassed the number of underweight children worldwide, according to a new report from UNICEF. The report, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, reveals a stark global shift in child nutrition. 

188 million children aged 5 to 19, or one in every ten worldwide, now live with obesity. This condition puts them at a significantly higher risk for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, and certain cancers. 

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell describes obesity as a "growing concern that can impact the health and development of children." She explains that processed foods are increasingly replacing nutritious options like fruits, vegetables, and protein at a time when proper nutrition is essential for children's growth and cognitive development.  

A UNICEF report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, analyzes data from over 190 countries, highlights how modern food environments are contributing to this global surge. Today, children are exposed to a constant stream of cheap, aggressively marketed processed foods and drinks, while nutritious options are often unavailable or unaffordable. 

Since 2000, the number of underweight children aged 5 to 19 has dropped from nearly 13% to 9.2%. During the same period, childhood obesity has tripled, from 3% to 9.4%. 

Obesity rates now exceed underweight rates in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. 

The report also found that marketing plays a significant role in this issue. In a UNICEF poll of 64,000 young people across 170 countries: 

• 75% reported seeing ads for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food in the previous week. 

• 60% said these ads made them want to eat the products. 

• Even in conflict-affected countries, 68% of young people said they were exposed to these advertisements. 

UNICEF warns that these trends carry staggering economic consequences. By 2035, the global cost of overweight and obesity is projected to exceed $4 trillion annually. In Peru alone, obesity-related health issues could cost over $210 billion across a single generation. 

In face of the challenges, governments are taking action. For instance, Mexico, where sugary drinks and processed foods make up 40% of children's daily calories, has banned their sale in public schools. This action is helping to improve the food environments for more than 34 million children. 

UNICEF encourages other governments worldwide to take similar steps, including: 

• Mandatory food labeling and restrictions on marketing unhealthy products. 

• Taxes on unhealthy products and bans on junk food in schools. 

• Stronger social protection programs. 

• Safeguards to protect policymaking from industry interference. 

For more information, click here. 

Source: UNICEF & UN News