More children obese than underweight
Childhood obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide, according to a new report from UNICEF.
The report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, reveals that one in 10 children aged 5 to 19 now live with obesity, marking a dramatic shift in global nutrition trends.
Drawing on data from over 190 countries, UNICEF found obesity rates among youth have tripled since 2000, rising from 3% to 9.4%. In contrast, the prevalence of underweight has declined from nearly 13% to 9.2%. Obesity now exceeds underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The report attributed the trend to unhealthy food environments shaped by the widespread availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods. In a global poll, 75% of youth reported seeing ads for sugary snacks or fast food in the past week, and 60% said the ads increased their cravings.
Several Pacific Island countries like Niue, Cook Islands and Nauru report the world’s highest childhood obesity rates, up 38%, largely due to a shift away from traditional diets. Meanwhile, high-income nations such as the U.S. and United Arab Emirates also report elevated rates, at 21%.
Read more: UNICEF
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