For the first time in recorded history, more children worldwide are obese than underweight, according to a new UNICEF report. The surge is fuelled by cheap, ultra-processed foods and aggressive marketing, leaving one in ten children classified as obese and hundreds of millions more overweight.
A global turning point
The UNICEF study, based on data from more than 190 countries, shows that around 188 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 are now obese. Combined with overweight figures, the total reaches nearly 391 million. By contrast, the proportion of children in the same age group who are underweight has steadily declined, marking a dramatic shift in global nutrition patterns.
Ultra-processed foods at the centre
Researchers identify the rapid spread of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as the central driver of the crisis. These products, typically high in added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, have become increasingly affordable and available, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Modern retail expansion, online platforms, and delivery services have accelerated their reach, while heavy marketing campaigns target children through schools, television, and social media.
Regional contrasts
The highest rates of childhood obesity are found in Pacific Island nations such as Niue and Nauru, where more than a third of children are affected. High-income countries, including the United States, Chile, and the United Arab Emirates, also record rates above 20%. In contrast, undernutrition remains a pressing issue in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but even in these regions the rise of obesity is beginning to take hold.
Health and economic consequences
Childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life. It also poses immediate psychological and social challenges, from reduced self-esteem to learning difficulties. Economically, the trend carries staggering implications: UNICEF estimates the global cost of overweight and obesity could exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035 due to rising healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
Calls for urgent action
UNICEF stresses that the crisis cannot be solved by individual willpower alone. Instead, governments are urged to regulate marketing aimed at children, introduce clearer food labelling, and adjust pricing structures through taxes on unhealthy foods and subsidies for nutritious alternatives. Improved school meal programmes and stronger social safety nets are also highlighted as essential steps.
A decisive moment for children’s health
The findings underline how the food environment, rather than personal choice alone, now shapes children’s health on a global scale. As obesity overtakes underweight, the report calls for coordinated international action to protect children from the long-term consequences of diets dominated by ultra-processed, low-nutrition products.
REFH – Newshub, 15 September 2025
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