Obesity surpassed underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition this year: UNICEF report

By Admin

12 Sep, 2025

The global fight against malnutrition has entered a new phase. According to a landmark UNICEF report released in 2025, obesity has now overtaken underweight as the most prevalent form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. For the first time in history, 9.4% of children aged 5–19 years are living with obesity compared to 9.2% who are underweight. This translates to 188 million children and adolescents living with obesity in 2025, compared to 184 million who are underweight.

A Historic Turning Point in Global Nutrition

The report, which draws on data from over 190 countries, reveals that the prevalence of underweight among children aged 5–19 years has declined steadily since 2000   from nearly 13% to 9.2%. However, obesity rates have tripled during the same period, rising from 3% to 9.4%. This alarming rise has been largely driven by the replacement of traditional diets with cheap, energy-dense, imported foods that are high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives.

Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The findings highlight a dramatic shift in the global nutrition crisis.

Why Obesity Is a Growing Concern

“When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said. “Obesity is a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children. Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”

Obesity is more than just excess weight. It significantly increases the risk of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life.

Children’s Food Environments Are Under Threat

The report warns that unhealthy food environments are shaping children’s diets more than personal choice. Ultra-processed and fast foods dominate markets, schools, and even online platforms. Digital marketing gives food and beverage companies direct access to young audiences, influencing eating habits from an early age.

At the same time, while undernutrition such as stunting and wasting continues to threaten millions of children under five in low- and middle-income countries, the rise of overweight and obesity among older children and adolescents poses an equally dangerous challenge.

UNICEF’s Call to Action

Without immediate interventions, countries risk long-term health and economic burdens from childhood obesity. To address this, UNICEF is urging governments, civil society, and partners to take bold action to transform food environments. Its recommendations include:

• Comprehensive mandatory policies to improve children’s food environments.
  
  

• Clearer food labelling to help families make informed choices.
  
  

• Restrictions on food marketing that targets children and adolescents.
  
  

• Food taxes and subsidies to make nutritious foods more accessible.
  
  

• Social and behavioural change initiatives to empower families and communities to demand healthier diets.
  
  

• Banning the sale and marketing of ultra-processed foods in schools to protect children in learning environments.
  
  

The Way Forward

The report makes it clear: malnutrition is no longer just about underweight children. The challenge has evolved, and so must our response. With obesity now a global epidemic among children and adolescents, urgent collective action is needed to reshape food systems and ensure that every child has access to nutritious, affordable, and safe food.

The decisions made today will determine whether future generations grow up healthier   or face lifelong consequences from unhealthy diets.