UNICEF reports that obesity has now surpassed underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among children and adolescents globally, affecting 1 in 10 individuals aged 5-19, which increases their risk of serious diseases.

While developed countries like the US and Chile have higher obesity rates, the problem is rapidly worsening in Pacific island nations such as Niué, Cook Islands, and Nauru, where imported processed foods are replacing traditional diets.

In Germany, childhood obesity rates have plateaued at around 25% since 2000, indicating a need for stronger policies to address this normalization.

The report urges governments and civil society to implement comprehensive measures promoting healthy diets, safeguarding policy-making from industry interference, and supporting vulnerable families through social protection.

Ultra-processed foods dominate retail outlets and schools, making them difficult to avoid, prompting calls for policies like labelling, marketing restrictions, taxes, and bans in schools.

The report underscores the urgency of public health interventions to combat this alarming trend of rising childhood obesity.

Mexico is highlighted as a positive example for banning the sale of high salt, sugar, and fat processed foods in public schools, benefiting over 34 million children.

Despite Mexico’s efforts, industry practices continue to undermine initiatives aimed at creating healthier food environments.

Good practices such as Mexico’s school ban are seen as vital steps toward improving children’s nutritional environments.

The report is based on data from approximately 190 countries in 2022, including household surveys, estimates, and forecasts.

Some countries have adopted measures like Chile’s ban on cartoon characters on unhealthy food packaging, the UK’s sugar tax, and Spain’s healthier school meals, but political action remains limited in many regions, including Germany.

Certain regions face a double burden of undernutrition and obesity, especially in crisis zones where large corporations distribute unhealthy foods to vulnerable populations.

The paradox of nations suffering from both undernutrition and obesity is exacerbated in conflict zones, where companies exploit vulnerable populations by donating ultra-processed foods.

South Africa faces the dual challenge of undernutrition and obesity, with children targeted by aggressive marketing of fast foods, complicating efforts to address all forms of malnutrition.

The economic costs of childhood obesity are immense, potentially exceeding US$210 billion in health costs in some countries and projected to surpass US$4 trillion annually by 2035, highlighting the urgent need for policy action.

The rise in childhood obesity has been ongoing since the 1980s, closely linked to the increase in junk food consumption.