For the first time in history, a UN report has revealed that more children around the world are classified as obese than underweight. This concerning trend is largely attributed to the increasing prevalence of ultra-processed junk food in children's diets. According to UNICEF, there are currently 188 million teenagers and school-age children suffering from obesity, which translates to about one in ten children globally. This alarming statistic poses significant risks to their health and development, potentially leading to life-threatening diseases.
Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, emphasized the changing landscape of malnutrition. “When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” she stated. “Obesity is a growing concern.” The report highlights that ultra-processed foods are increasingly replacing essential nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, and proteins at a crucial time when proper nutrition is vital for children’s growth, cognitive development, and mental health.
According to the report, while 9.2% of children aged five to 19 are categorized as underweight, a slightly higher 9.4% are considered obese. In stark contrast, in the year 2000, nearly 13% of children were underweight, and only 3% were obese. This shift marks a significant change in the dominant form of malnutrition across various regions, with obesity now surpassing underweight status almost everywhere, except in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The report, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, utilized data from over 190 countries, including insights from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank. It found that one in five children aged between five and 19 are overweight, with a growing proportion—42% in 2022—identified as obese, a significant rise from 30% in 2000. The highest obesity rates are found in Pacific Island countries, where there has been a noticeable shift from traditional diets to cheaper, energy-dense, imported foods.
Countries like Niue and the Cook Islands report staggering obesity rates of 38% and 37% respectively among children aged five to 19. Richer nations are not exempt, with Chile, the US, and the United Arab Emirates reporting obesity rates of 27%, 21%, and 21% respectively. In the UK, the percentage of overweight children has risen from 29% in 2000 to 30% in 2022, while obesity has increased from 9% to 11%.
The steep rise in obesity among schoolchildren and teenagers is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where the numbers have more than doubled since 2000. This increase correlates with the rapid expansion of modern retail outlets, online grocery stores, and food delivery apps, where ultra-processed foods are often more affordable than fresh or minimally processed nutritious options.
Childhood obesity is linked to numerous health risks that can persist into adulthood, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. The report raises alarms about the detrimental health impacts of ultra-processed foods, which include sugary cereals, biscuits, fizzy drinks, and ready meals laden with additives, high sugar, fat, or salt content. These products dominate retail spaces and schools, making them hard to avoid for children.
Nomathemba Chandiwana, chief scientific officer at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, highlighted the complexity of addressing both undernutrition and obesity. “We often only think of malnutrition here as underweight or stunting, but obesity has the same long-term consequences,” she noted. In South Africa, many children face both hunger and the prevalence of cheap, low-quality foods, complicating the battle against malnutrition.
The rising rates of childhood obesity are not just a health concern but also an economic one. UNICEF has projected that by 2035, the global cost associated with overweight and obesity could exceed $4 trillion annually. The report commends Mexico for its proactive measures, such as banning the sale and distribution of ultra-processed foods in schools. However, it also warns that the unethical practices of the ultra-processed food industry hinder efforts to establish protective regulations for children.
UNICEF advocates for government action through enhanced labeling, marketing restrictions, taxes, and subsidies to combat this crisis. It suggests implementing bans on junk food marketing in schools and improving programs that help vulnerable families access nutritious diets. The organization calls for "strong safeguards" to ensure public policy processes remain free from interference by the ultra-processed food industry.
