UNICEF Warns: More Children Obese Than Undernourished

For the first time on record, the number of school-aged children living with obesity has surpassed the number who are underweight, according to a new UNICEF report released Wednesday,according to Dw.com. The finding highlights a major shift in global child nutrition, with obesity now emerging as the leading form of malnutrition among children between the ages of five and 19.

“When we talk about malnutrition today, it is no longer limited to underweight children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, underscoring the new reality.

Shifts in child nutrition patterns

The report, drawing on data from more than 190 countries, shows that since 2000, the percentage of underweight children has declined from almost 13% to just over 9%. At the same time, obesity rates have nearly tripled, rising from 3% to 9.4%. In practical terms, this means around one in five children globally — about 391 million — are now overweight.

UNICEF had already warned in 2017 that the world was approaching this tipping point. Today, obesity rates exceed underweight levels across nearly every region, with the exception of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The problem is particularly stark in higher-income nations: 27% of children aged 5 to 19 in Chile are obese, compared with 21% in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Why obesity is rising

The report attributes the surge in obesity to unhealthy food environments that heavily influence children’s diets. Ultra-processed and fast foods, rich in sugar, salt, refined starches, unhealthy fats, and additives, have become dominant. These products, UNICEF warns, are shaping what children eat, often replacing nutritious options like fruits, vegetables, and protein.

“Obesity is a growing concern that can deeply affect health and development,” Russell stressed. “Ultra-processed foods are displacing nutritious meals at a stage when good diets are vital for physical growth, cognitive skills, and mental well-being.”

Solutions and recommendations

To address the crisis, UNICEF recommends policies aimed at reshaping food systems. Suggested steps include clear nutrition labelling, stronger restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and banning the sale of junk and ultra-processed products in schools. The report also emphasizes the importance of expanding social protection programs to reduce poverty and make healthy diets more financially accessible to families.