According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, the concept of malnutrition now extends beyond underweight children, highlighting the growing concern of obesity. Obesity, which can significantly impact children’s health and development, is exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of ultra-processed food replacing essential nutrients at a critical stage of growth, cognitive development, and mental health.
UNICEF’s report, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, analyzes data from over 190 countries, revealing a dramatic shift in children’s nutritional profiles.
One in five overweight
Since 2000, the percentage of underweight children has decreased from 13% to 9.2%. In contrast, obesity has tripled from 3% to 9.4%. Remarkably, obesity rates now surpass underweight rates in all regions except for sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
The issue is particularly severe in the Pacific Islands, where traditional diets have been overshadowed by affordable, energy-rich imported foods. High-income countries are also affected, with 27% of children in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the United Arab Emirates affected.
On a global scale, one in five children and adolescents, or approximately 391 million, are classified as overweight, with about half of them falling into the obese category.
Children are deemed overweight when their weight significantly exceeds what is considered healthy for their age, sex, and height. Obesity, a severe form of overweight, not only increases the risk of insulin resistance and high blood pressure but also poses the threat of fatal diseases such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
A consumer in Mongolia enjoys a sugary dessert, illustrating the global struggle with obesity influenced by dietary choices.
Marketing to blame
The report points to strong commercial influences as a major factor in shaping these trends. Sugary and fast foods, laden with unhealthy ingredients, dominate children’s diets and are marketed aggressively, influencing their eating habits.
In a UNICEF poll involving 64,000 young people across 170 countries, 75% of respondents reported seeing advertisements for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food the previous week. Among these, 60% admitted that these ads increased their desire to consume these products. These patterns are particularly concerning given the projections that by 2035, the global economic burden of overweight and obesity will exceed $4 trillion annually.
Government must act
However, there are efforts by some governments to address this issue. Mexico, where sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods comprise 40% of children’s daily caloric intake, has taken significant steps by banning the sale of these in public schools, benefiting over 34 million children. UNICEF is advocating for comprehensive reforms globally, including mandatory food labeling, restrictions on marketing, and taxes on unhealthy products; bans on junk food in schools; enhanced social protection programs; and measures to insulate policy decisions from industry influences.
Catherine Russell emphasizes the dual burden of malnutrition and the need for targeted interventions. She underscores that affordable and nutritious food must be accessible to all children to support their growth and development, urging for policies that help parents and caregivers provide healthy food options for their children.
Source: https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2025/09/1165797
