For the first time in history, children and adolescents living with obesity have outnumbered those who are underweight, according to new Unicef data. The report, “Feeding Profit: How food environments are failing children,” highlights that unhealthy food environments and increased accessibility of ultra-processed products are fuelling this shift, making obesity the most widespread form of malnutrition globally.
Rising Childhood Obesity Poses Severe Health Risks Worldwide
Overweight in children is defined as weighing more than what is considered healthy for their age, sex, and height, while obesity represents a severe form that heightens risks of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and long-term complications such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Globally, one in five children aged 5–19 years—about 391 million—are overweight, with most falling into the obesity category. In 2025, an estimated 188 million adolescents aged 15–19 years will be obese, surpassing the 184 million who remain underweight.
Unicef’s executive director, Catherine Russell, warned that obesity can severely impact growth, cognitive development, and mental health as ultra-processed food increasingly replaces nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Regional data shows obesity rising across all areas except Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Kenya, however, children face related risks: more than half of those aged six to 23 months consume sweetened foods and drinks, while only about four in ten meet minimum dietary diversity standards.
Balancing Nutrition: Tackling Stunting, Deficiencies, and Overweight
The report also identifies a “triple burden” of child malnutrition—stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight—which can coexist within the same community or household. Nutritionist Rose Joy Etale explains obesity is often linked to higher household income, poor dietary choices, and urban lifestyles with reduced physical activity. She emphasizes limiting sugary drinks, encouraging exercise, and consulting dietitians, while cautioning against crash diets that hinder growth.
Unicef further warns about digital marketing of unhealthy foods. In Kenya and five other countries, children and adolescents face heavy exposure to online ads promoting products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These campaigns exploit emotional themes like family bonding and social identity. The report recommends urgent reforms, including restrictions on unhealthy food marketing, stronger labelling, food taxes, and subsidies to promote healthier diets for children.
Summary:
Unicef reports obesity now surpasses underweight among children worldwide, with 391 million aged 5–19 overweight. Ultra-processed foods, poor diets, and digital marketing fuel this crisis, raising risks of diabetes, heart disease, and cancers. The report urges stricter food labelling, marketing restrictions, and healthier dietary practices to combat rising childhood malnutrition.
