Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1353 EAT on Friday 12 September 2025

Obesity has now overtaken underweight as the most prevalent form of malnutrition among children and adolescents, affecting 1 in 10 school-aged children — or 188 million globally — according to a new report from UNICEF.

The report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children, draws on data from 190 countries and highlights a dramatic shift in global nutrition trends. Since 2000, the prevalence of underweight among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 has declined from nearly 13% to 9.2%.

Over the same period, obesity rates in this age group have more than tripled — rising from 3% to 9.4%. Today, obesity surpasses underweight in every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Pacific Island nations are among the worst affected, with obesity rates reaching alarming levels among children and adolescents. In Niue, 38% of those aged 5 to 19 are classified as obese, followed by 37% in the Cook Islands and 33% in Nauru. Since 2000, rates in these countries have more than doubled, driven largely by a shift away from traditional diets toward cheap, calorie-dense imported foods.

High-income countries also continue to report troubling figures:

High-Income Nations Also Facing a Growing Burden

Obesity among children and adolescents is not limited to low- and middle-income countries. High-income nations continue to report concerning rates:

Chile: 27% of children aged 5–19 are obese

United States: 21%

United Arab Emirates: 21%

The growing burden of childhood obesity is shifting the global conversation on malnutrition.

> “When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

“Obesity is a growing concern that can impact health and development. Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables, and proteins — at a time when nutrition is critical for growth, cognitive development, and mental health.”

While stunting and wasting remain major concerns among children under five in low- and middle-income countries, the new UNICEF report warns of a sharp rise in overweight and obesity among older children and adolescents.

Globally, 1 in 5 children and adolescents aged 5–19 — or 391 million — are now overweight, with a significant share already classified as obese. Obesity, a more severe form of overweight, significantly increases the risk of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

The report emphasizes that obesity is not simply a matter of individual choice but is largely driven by harmful food environments — particularly the widespread availability and marketing of ultra-processed and fast foods. These products, often high in sugar, refined starch, salt, and unhealthy fats, dominate stores, school canteens, and advertising platforms.

A global UNICEF poll of 64,000 young people aged 13–24 across 170 countries revealed the extent of this influence:

• 75% recalled seeing advertisements for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food in the past week
• 60% said the ads increased their desire to consume those products
• Even in conflict-affected countries, 68% reported recent exposure to such advertisements

The findings underscore the urgent need for stronger regulations and policies to protect children from exploitative marketing and unhealthy food systems.

Without urgent intervention, the global economic cost of overweight and obesity could surpass $4 trillion annually by 2035, according to Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children, a new UNICEF report cited by The Observer.

Some governments are already taking action. In Mexico, where ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks account for 40% of children’s daily calorie intake, the government has banned the sale of such products in schools — a move that has improved food environments for more than 34 million children.

UNICEF’s Call to Action

To protect children’s health and transform global food environments, UNICEF is calling on governments to adopt mandatory, comprehensive policies that include:

• Clear front-of-pack nutrition labelling
• Strict marketing restrictions targeting children
• Fiscal measures, such as taxes on unhealthy foods and subsidies for nutritious options

In addition to regulatory measures, UNICEF emphasizes the need for social and behaviour change initiatives to empower families and communities to demand healthier food choices.

“Achieving equitable access to nutritious food is essential to protecting the health and future of the next generation,” the report concludes.

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here

Email: editorial@hicginewsagency.com TalkBusiness@hicginewsagency.com WhatsApp +256713137566

Follow us on all social media, type “HICGI News Agency” .