Obesity overtakes undernourishment among global children and adolescents

For the first time globally, obesity has surpassed undernourishment among children and adolescents aged five to 19, according to a warning from UNICEF.

Globally, 188 million school-aged children and adolescents are now living with obesity, which is one in 10 individuals in this age group.

The rise in obesity is attributed to the widespread availability and promotion of ultra-processed foods, often replacing healthier options.

While the prevalence of underweight children aged five to 19 has declined from 13% in 2000 to 9.2% in 2023, obesity rates have increased from 3% to 9.4% during the same period.

Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions, with the highest prevalence in Pacific Island countries and the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

High-income countries continue to report high levels of obesity, with examples including Chile (27%), the United States (21%), and the United Arab Emirates (21%) for the five to 19 age group.

Obesity is a severe form of overweight that increases the risk of developing serious health issues such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life.