Obesity surpasses undernourishment among children - UNICEF DW 09/10/2025

"The number of obese school-aged children has exceeded the number of underweight children globally, according to a new report released by UNICEF. This is the first time obesity has overtaken undernourishment as the leading form of malnutrition among children aged five to 19, according to the report released on Wednesday. Today, "when we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children," UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said in a statement on the report's release."

"Since 2000, the number of underweight children has dropped from nearly 13% to 9.2%, among 5-19 year olds, according to data collected in over 190 countries. Meanwhile, obesity rates have nearly tripled from 3% to 9.4% during the same period. The report suggests one in five children aged five to 19 years are overweight, totalling some 391 million. The "tipping point" was predicted by UNICEF back in 2017."

"According to the researchers at UNICEF, the rising trend of obesity is largely due to unhealthy food environments. The report warned that "ultra-processed and fast foods high in sugar, refined starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives are shaping children's diets through unhealthy food environments, rather than personal choice." Obesity is a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children," Russell said in the statement. "Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical ro"

Obese children aged five to 19 now outnumber underweight peers globally. Since 2000, the underweight share among 5–19-year-olds fell from nearly 13% to 9.2%. Obesity rates nearly tripled from 3% to 9.4% in the same period. One in five children aged five to 19 are overweight, totaling about 391 million. Obesity exceeds underweight in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Some high-income countries show very high youth obesity, such as 27% in Chile and 21% in the US and UAE. Unhealthy food environments and ultra-processed foods are displacing fruits, vegetables and protein and reshaping children's diets.

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