For the first time in recorded history, there are now more children in the world who are obese than those who are underweight, according to a major study by UNICEF.
The report, which analysed data from more than 190 countries, reveals a shift in global child health trends. Nearly one in 10 children and adolescents between the ages of five and 19, an estimated 188 million worldwide — are obese. By contrast, the proportion of underweight children has declined to 9.2%, down from almost 13% in 2000.
The findings paint a worrying picture of a global nutrition crisis that is no longer just about hunger, but about the rising tide of obesity. UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell described the situation as a “double burden of malnutrition,” where in many countries children face the simultaneous threats of stunting and obesity.
“It is a growing concern that must not be underestimated,” she said.
The crisis is not confined to wealthy nations. Some of the highest childhood obesity rates are recorded in Pacific Island states, where traditional diets have been rapidly replaced by imported ultra-processed foods.
In Niue, 38% of children are obese; in the Cook Islands, 37%; and in Nauru, 33%. These figures dwarf even those of the United States (21%), the United Arab Emirates (21%), and Chile (27%), all of which are battling serious obesity challenges of their own.
Researchers point to the global spread of ultra-processed foods as a central culprit. Cheap, calorie-dense, and aggressively marketed, these products are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, while offering little nutritional value. Their rise has displaced traditional diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, leaving children more vulnerable to long-term health problems.
Obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. It is strongly linked to life-threatening illnesses such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Experts warn that without urgent intervention, today’s obese children are likely to grow into adults burdened with chronic diseases, straining both families and already overstretched health systems.
Good nutrition during childhood is not only essential for physical growth, but also for cognitive development and mental health. Yet UNICEF fears the influence of the ultra-processed food industry is undermining public health policies. The agency has urged governments to step up regulation, protect children’s diets, and block corporate interference in policymaking.
The overall number of overweight children, a broader category that includes those who are obese has risen so sharply that one in five school-age children and adolescents are now overweight. This trend, experts say, is evidence of a world struggling to balance between scarcity and excess, as old battles with undernutrition give way to new wars against diet-related diseases.
The UNICEF report serves as a stark reminder that nutrition is no longer a matter of survival but of sustainability. The choices societies make today about food systems, regulation, and education will shape the health of the next generation. And unless urgent global action is taken, obesity may become the defining public health challenge of the 21st century.
