Timeline

What happened: In 2000, childhood obesity rates stood at 3%, while nearly 13% were underweight. Academics predicted a 'tipping point' by 2017. Data compiled from 2000-2022, with trends from 2010, informed UNICEF's latest report.
What's happening now: UNICEF's report confirms childhood obesity (9.4%) has surpassed underweight (9.2%) globally, impacting approximately 188 million children aged 5-19. The report explicitly links this to 'toxic food environments' and aggressive marketing.
What's next: Governments are urged to implement mandatory policies like marketing restrictions, junk food bans in schools, and taxation on unhealthy foods. The global economic impact of overweight and obesity is projected to exceed US$4 trillion annually by 2035, emphasizing the urgency of action.

Different Perspectives

**UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell:** Emphasizes that "When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children," highlighting the evolving nature of the crisis.
**Professor Chris Van Tulleken, UCL:** States, "Obesity is not a failure of parents or children. It's the result of toxic food environments," shifting the focus from individual responsibility to systemic issues.
**Industry Influence:** The report implicitly critiques the "unethical business practices of the ultra-processed food and beverage industry" for hindering protective policies, suggesting a need for stronger regulatory frameworks.

What You Need to Know

Childhood obesity (9.4%) now surpasses underweight (9.2%) globally among 5-19 year olds, affecting 1 in 10 children (188 million).
The primary drivers are ultra-processed foods, high in sugar, salt, and fat, coupled with aggressive marketing to children.
This represents a 'double burden' of malnutrition, where undernutrition coexists with rising obesity rates in many countries.
Urgent government action is required, including marketing restrictions, junk food bans in schools, and taxation on unhealthy products.
The long-term economic cost of overweight and obesity is projected to reach over US$4 trillion annually by 2035.

Regional Perspective

While a global phenomenon, some regions are disproportionately affected. In Pacific Island nations like Niue and the Cook Islands, nearly 40% of 5-19-year-olds are obese, the highest rates globally, often due to the displacement of traditional diets by cheap imported foods. High-income countries also show significant rates: Chile (27%), the United Arab Emirates (21%), and the United States (21%). In the U.S., the severity is such that doctors are now endorsing weight-loss drugs for adolescents, signaling a shift in medical approaches to address the crisis.