Child Obesity Surpasses Underweight Cases Globally for the First Time, UNICEF Reports
New York, September 9, 2025 – In a sobering development, UNICEF has issued a stark warning that for the first time in recorded history, the number of children suffering from overweight and obesity has now surpassed the number of children who are underweight worldwide. This unprecedented shift in global child malnutrition signals a profound crisis, demanding urgent attention and comprehensive action from governments, communities, and individuals.
The report, released today, highlights a complex and interconnected set of factors contributing to this alarming trend. While decades of effort have been dedicated to combating undernutrition and its devastating consequences, the rise of overweight and obesity presents a new, formidable challenge. This dual burden of malnutrition, where both undernutrition and overnutrition coexist and even occur within the same communities, underscores the urgent need for a more holistic and nuanced approach to child health and well-being.
According to UNICEF’s findings, the escalating rates of childhood obesity are driven by a confluence of influences. These include widespread access to unhealthy, ultra-processed foods that are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, coupled with increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Urbanization, marketing of unhealthy food options, and limited access to safe and affordable nutritious foods in many regions further exacerbate the problem. Moreover, the report points to the impact of poverty and inequality, where families may have to make difficult choices between food affordability and nutritional quality, often leading to diets that contribute to both undernutrition and overweight in the long term.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Childhood obesity is not merely an aesthetic concern; it is a serious health issue that significantly increases a child’s risk of developing a range of chronic non-communicable diseases later in life, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and respiratory problems. These health consequences can persist into adulthood, placing immense strain on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.
“This is a critical turning point for global child health,” stated a UNICEF spokesperson. “For generations, we have focused on the ravages of hunger and undernutrition. While that fight is far from over, we are now facing a new reality where excess weight among children is becoming the dominant form of malnutrition. This demands a fundamental reassessment of our strategies and a renewed commitment to creating environments that support healthy growth and development for every child.”
UNICEF is calling for a multi-pronged approach to address this complex challenge. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening Food Systems: Promoting access to affordable, nutritious, and safe foods for all children, including fostering environments that support healthy eating habits from an early age.
- Regulating Marketing of Unhealthy Foods: Implementing stricter regulations on the marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages, particularly those targeting children.
- Promoting Physical Activity: Creating safe and accessible opportunities for children to engage in regular physical activity, such as improving urban planning for play spaces and integrating physical education into school curricula.
- Enhancing Healthcare Services: Strengthening health systems to provide early screening, detection, and management of overweight and obesity in children, alongside continued efforts to address undernutrition.
- Fostering Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities to develop and implement evidence-based interventions.
- Investing in Education and Awareness: Raising public awareness about the risks of childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyle choices within families and communities.
The report underscores that the fight against childhood malnutrition is far from over. The emergence of overweight and obesity as the predominant form of malnutrition necessitates a compassionate and urgent global response to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. UNICEF urges continued dedication and collaboration to reverse this disturbing trend and safeguard the health of future generations.
Child obesity level surpasses underweight cases worldwide for the first time, UNICEF warns
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