- Childhood obesity now affects more children globally than underweight, according to UNICEF.
- 188 million children aged 5–19 are obese; 391 million are overweight.
- Ultra-processed foods are replacing traditional diets, driving the crisis.
- Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- UNICEF urges governments to implement food policy reforms and protect children’s health.
In a historic shift, more children worldwide are now obese than underweight, according to a sweeping new report from UNICEF. The study, which draws on data from over 190 countries, reveals that nearly 188 million children aged 5 to 19 are living with obesity — a figure that has tripled since 2000.
Obesity now affects 9.4% of children in this age group, overtaking the 9.2% who are underweight. The trend marks a dramatic reversal from two decades ago, when underweight children outnumbered those living with obesity by more than four percentage points.
UNICEF attributes the surge to the global spread of ultra-processed foods — cheap, calorie-dense products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats — which are increasingly replacing traditional diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. The agency warns that these foods are not only reshaping children’s bodies, but also undermining their cognitive development, mental health, and long-term wellbeing.
The report highlights a troubling “double burden” of malnutrition, where children in the same communities — and sometimes the same households — suffer from both stunting and obesity. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where food insecurity coexists with rising rates of overweight and obesity.
Globally, one in five school-age children and adolescents — roughly 391 million — are now overweight, with nearly half classified as obese. The highest rates are found in Pacific Island nations such as Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%). But high-income countries are also grappling with the crisis, including Chile (27%), the United States (21%), and the United Arab Emirates (21%).
UNICEF is calling for urgent policy reforms to protect children’s diets. Recommendations include banning ultra-processed foods from school canteens, taxing unhealthy products, enforcing stricter food labelling, and shielding public health policymaking from industry interference.
The stakes are high. By 2035, the global economic cost of overweight and obesity is projected to exceed $4 trillion annually. UNICEF warns that without decisive action, the health consequences — including increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers — will continue to escalate.
