Obesity surpasses underweight in children for the first time

Obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among children and adolescents, affecting 1 in 10 (188 million) school-aged children worldwide, according to a new UNICEF report.

The report, “Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children,” draws on data from 190 countries and reveals a striking shift in global nutrition trends. Since 2000, underweight prevalence among 5–19-year-olds has fallen from nearly 13 per cent to 9.2 per cent.

At the same time, obesity rates have tripled, rising from 3 per cent to 9.4 per cent. Today, obesity exceeds underweight in every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Most severe

Pacific Island nations rank among the worst affected with Niue standing at 38 per cent of 5–19-year-olds obese, Cook Islands 37 per cent and Nauru 33 per cent. Rates in these countries have more than doubled since 2000, largely due to a shift away from traditional diets toward cheap, calorie-dense imported foods.

High-income nations also continue to record worrying figures:

Chile: 27 per cent of children are obese
United States: 21 per cent
United Arab Emirates: 21 per cent

Growing burden

“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 report warns that overweight and obesity are rising rapidly among older children.

Globally, 1 in 5 children and adolescents aged 5–19 (391 million) are overweight, with a significant proportion already living with obesity. Obesity, defined as a severe form of overweight, puts children at greater risk of developing insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and life-threatening conditions later in life, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

Role of unhealthy food environments

The report argues that obesity is not a matter of individual choice but the result of harmful food environments shaped by the dominance of ultra-processed and fast foods. These products, often high in sugar, refined starch, salt, and unhealthy fats, saturate shops and schools while being aggressively marketed to young audiences.

A global UNICEF poll of 64,000 young people aged 13–24 across 170 countries found that 75 per cent recalled seeing ads for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food in the past week, 60 per cent said the ads increased their desire to consume those foods.

Even in conflict-affected countries, 68 per cent reported exposure to such advertisements

Economic toll

Without urgent interventions, the report warns, the global cost of overweight and obesity could exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035. Some governments are already taking action. In Mexico, where ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks account for 40 per cent of children’s daily calories, the government banned the sale of such products in schools.

This move has helped improve food environments for more than 34 million children.

UNICEF’s call to action

To transform food environments and safeguard children’s health, UNICEF urges governments to implement mandatory, comprehensive policies, including, clear food labelling, strict marketing restrictions targeting children, taxes and subsidies to discourage unhealthy foods and promote nutritious options.

In addition, UNICEF calls 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.