Unicef: For the first time, more children are obese than underweight

Cologne. According to UNICEF, severe obesity has replaced underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among children and adolescents for the first time. According to the UNICEF nutrition report, underweight among children aged 5 to 19 has decreased from around 13 percent to 9.2 percent since 2000, while obesity has increased from 3 percent to 9.4 percent.

This means that for the first time, obesity is more common than underweight in most regions of the world – with the exception of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. As UNICEF Germany announced in Cologne, the UNICEF Nutrition Report is based on data from over 190 countries and includes household surveys, modeled estimates, forecasts, and surveys.

In many high-income countries, the proportion of obese children and adolescents is very high, for example, 27 percent of 5- to 19-year-olds in Chile, 21 percent in the USA and also 21 percent in the United Arab Emirates.

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In Germany, according to UNICEF, the figures remain relatively constant. One in four German children aged 5 to 19 is overweight, with a slight upward trend: from 24 percent in 2000 to 25 percent in 2022. The proportion of obese children in this age group remains constant at eight percent.

"When we talk about malnutrition, it's no longer just about underweight children," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell summarizes the findings. "Obesity is a growing problem that can impact children's health and development. Highly processed foods are increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables, and proteins at a stage of life when nutrition plays a crucial role in children's growth, cognitive development, and mental health."

The report warns that highly processed foods and fast food are often inexpensive and aggressively marketed. Furthermore, the food and beverage industry's marketing via digital channels has a very effective influence on young audiences.

The consequences of obesity extend far beyond health risks: According to UNICEF, overweight children are more likely to miss school, have self-esteem issues, and are more likely to be bullied. Once established in childhood or adolescence, obesity is difficult to reverse and often persists into adulthood.

The report highlights Mexico as a positive example. There, the government recently banned the sale and distribution of highly processed foods and products high in salt, sugar, and fat in public schools. This benefited over 34 million children.

RND/dpa