ISLAMABAD: Childhood obesity now exceeds underweight among school-aged children and adolescents in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, according to a new UNICEF report released Wednesday.
The report, titled "Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children", warns that one in five children aged 5–19 is now classified as overweight, with a growing share living with obesity. The total number of affected children and adolescents globally has reached 188 million.
Drawing from data in over 190 countries, the report highlights a dramatic rise in obesity rates — from just 3% a few decades ago to 9.4% today. UNICEF attributes the spike to a global shift away from traditional diets toward cheaper, ultra-processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
“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,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
The report emphasizes that obesity is now more prevalent than underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where undernutrition remains a critical concern.
UNICEF warned that overweight children are at greater risk of developing serious health problems, including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers.
The agency called on governments to regulate unhealthy food environments, limit marketing of junk food to children, and promote access to healthy and affordable diets.
