New York: More children around the world are now obese than underweight for the first time in history, according to a new United Nations report that raises alarms over the spread of ultra-processed junk food.
The study by UNICEF reveals that 188 million children and teenagers aged 5 to 19 are obese, one in ten globally, with the number surpassing those who are underweight. While 9.2 percent of children in this age group are underweight, 9.4 percent are obese. Two decades ago, nearly 13 percent were underweight and only 3 percent were obese.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the findings mark a shift in the way the world views malnutrition. Catherine Russell noted that malnutrition is no longer just about underweight children, with obesity emerging as a growing concern. She added that ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.
The report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, based on data from more than 190 countries, shows that one in five children worldwide is overweight. Of the 291 million overweight children, 42 percent fall into the obese category, up from 30 percent in 2000.
Obesity rates are highest in Pacific Island nations, such as Niue at 38 percent and the Cook Islands at 37 percent, reflecting a transition from traditional diets to cheap, energy-dense imported food. Wealthier countries also report high levels, with Chile at 27 percent, the US at 21 percent and the UAE at 21 percent. In the UK, obesity among children rose from 9 percent in 2000 to 11 percent in 2022.
The sharpest increases were recorded in low- and middle-income countries, where obesity has more than doubled since 2000. Experts link this rise to the rapid expansion of supermarkets, online grocery platforms and food delivery apps offering ultra-processed foods at lower prices than fresh produce.
Childhood obesity is linked to serious long-term health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. By 2035, the global economic cost of overweight and obesity is projected to exceed $4 trillion annually, according to UNICEF estimates.
Experts warn that obesity often goes unrecognised as malnutrition, especially in countries where undernutrition and stunting remain widespread. Nomathemba Chandiwana of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation said that about one in eight children is overweight or has obesity, while one in four are stunted, creating a double burden that shapes the health of an entire generation.
The report highlights the influence of ultra-processed foods such as cereals, biscuits, fizzy drinks and ready meals, which dominate shops, schools and digital platforms. These foods are heavily marketed to young people and parents, creating an environment where avoiding them is increasingly difficult.
Mexico’s ban on the sale and distribution of ultra-processed foods in schools was cited as a positive example. However, UNICEF warned that the unethical business practices of the ultra-processed food industry continue to undermine policy efforts.
UNICEF called on governments to respond with stricter labelling and marketing restrictions, higher taxes on unhealthy food and beverages, subsidies to make nutritious alternatives more affordable, and bans on the sale of junk food in schools. It also stressed the need for strong safeguards to protect policymaking from industry interference.
The report concluded that without bold action, today’s children will face a future of preventable disease and mounting economic strain.
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