20th September 2025 (16 Topics)
1
Sep
2
Sep
3
Sep
4
Sep
5
Sep
6
Sep
8
Sep
9
Sep
10
Sep
11
Sep
12
Sep
13
Sep
15
Sep
16
Sep
17
Sep
18
Sep
19
Sep
20
Sep
22
Sep
23
Sep
24
Sep
25
Sep
26
Sep
27
Sep
29
Sep
30
Sep
Childhood Obesity Surpasses Underweight
Context:
UNICEF reports that for the first time, global obesity among school-aged children and adolescents exceeds underweight, affecting 1 in 10 children.
Global Malnutrition Trends
- Prevalence of underweight among children aged 5–19 declined from 13% in 2000 to 2% in 2025.
- Obesity rates increased from 3% in 2000 to 4% in 2025, surpassing underweight globally except in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Approximately 188 million children and adolescents live with obesity.
Regional and Country-Specific Data
- Pacific Islands: Highest prevalence – Niue (38%), Cook Islands (37%), Nauru (33%) due to shift to energy-dense imported foods.
- High-income countries: Chile (27%), USA (21%), UAE (21%).
- Highlights the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition and obesity coexist.
Health Implications
- Obesity in children increases risk of insulin resistance, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
- Overweight children: above healthy weight for age, sex, height; obesity is severe form of overweight.
Role of Ultra-Processed Foods and Marketing
- Ultra-processed foods (high sugar, salt, unhealthy fats) dominate shops and schools.
- Digital marketing targets children: 75% of youth recalled ads for sugary/fast foods; 60% influenced to consume.
- Even conflict-affected regions report high exposure to unhealthy food marketing.
Economic and Policy Implications
- Obesity-related economic costs projected to exceed US$4 trillion globally by 2035.
- Governments taking action:g., Mexico banned ultra-processed foods in public schools, positively impacting over 34 million children.
- UNICEF recommendations:
- Mandatory food policies: labelling, marketing restrictions, taxes/subsidies.
- Behavioral change interventions for families and communities.
- Ban ultra-processed foods in schools and protect policy-making from industry interference.
- Strengthen social protection for vulnerable families.
More Articles
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More