Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 9, 2025 Healthcare
Obesity has become the most common consequence of poor nutrition among school-age children and adolescents for the first time, surpassing underweight. Obesity affects one in ten – or 188 million – young people on the planet, according to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Overweight and poor nutrition put children at risk of developing life-threatening diseases, UNICEF warns.
Global trends
The report, based on data from more than 190 countries, shows that the prevalence of underweight among children aged 5-19 has fallen from almost 13 percent in 2000 to 9.2 percent, while obesity has risen from 3 percent to 9.4 percent. Obesity now exceeds underweight rates in every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Several Pacific countries have the world's highest obesity rates: 38 percent of children and adolescents in Niue, 37 percent in the Cook Islands and 33 percent in Nauru. These rates have doubled since 2000, as the country shifts away from traditional foods to cheap, calorie-dense imports.
Rates also remain high in many high-income countries: 27 percent of children and adolescents aged 5–19 are obese in Chile, 21 percent in the United States and the same in the United Arab Emirates.
"Not just malnutrition"
"When we talk about malnutrition of children, it is no longer just a question of being underweight,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Obesity is a growing problem affecting children’s health and development. Increasingly, ultra-processed foods are replacing fruits, vegetables and proteins. And nutrition is especially important for a child’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”
© UNICEF/V. Sorokin
While undernutrition, including wasting and stunting, remains a major problem among children under five in low- and middle-income countries, overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing among schoolchildren and adolescents.
According to the latest data, every fifth child and teenager aged 5–19 in the world – or 391 million – are overweight, and many of them are already classified as obese. Obesity is a severe form of excess weight that leads to an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, hypertension, and other dangerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers.
The influence of the food industry
The UNICEF report notes that ultra-processed and fast foods – loaded with sugar, starch, salt, fat and additives – are shaping children’s habits. And this is happening because of an unhealthy environment, not through personal choice. Such products dominate stores and schools, and digital marketing gives the industry powerful channels to reach children.
In a global survey of 64,000 young people aged 13 to 24 in more than 170 countries last year, for example, 75 percent of respondents reported seeing advertisements for sugary drinks or fast food in the past week, and 60 percent said the ads had increased their desire to buy those products. Even in conflict-affected countries, 68 percent reported being impacted by such advertising.
The Economic Cost of Inaction
Without urgent action to prevent obesity, countries risk facing severe health and economic consequences. The global economic costs of obesity-related diseases are projected to exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035.
The report cites examples of successful measures. In Mexico, a country with high obesity rates where sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods make up 40 percent of children’s daily diet, authorities have banned the sale and distribution of such products in schools.
UNICEF calls on governments, civil society and partners to introduce measures to improve the food environment, including food labelling, marketing restrictions, taxes and subsidies, and support social and behavioural initiatives, ban the sale and advertising of ultra-processed foods in schools, protect political processes from industry influence, and strengthen social protection programmes for vulnerable families.
“In many countries, we see a double burden of malnutrition – stunting and obesity coexisting. This requires targeted interventions,” said Catherine Russell. “Nutritious, affordable food should be available to every child. We urgently need interventions that help parents and caregivers provide healthy food to their children.”
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