Junk food leads to more children being obese than underweight for first time

"There are 188 million teenagers and school-age children with obesity one in 10 Unicef said, affecting health and development and bringing a risk of life-threatening diseases. Catherine Russell, executive director of the UN agency for children, said: When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children. Obesity is a growing concern."

"While 9.2% of five to 19-year-olds worldwide are underweight, 9.4% are considered obese, the report found. In 2000, nearly 13% were underweight and just 3% were obese. Sulakshyan, 10, and his brother Subharna, 7, watch videos at home in Kathmandu. Nepal's urbanisation has made ultra-processed food more widespread. Photograph: Bishal Bisht/Unicef"

"Obesity has overtaken being underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and is a problem even in countries with high numbers of children suffering from wasting or stunting due to a lack of food. The report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, used data from more than 190 countries and sources including Unicef, the World Health Organization and the World Bank."

More children are obese than underweight for the first time, with 188 million teenagers and school-age children affected. Childhood obesity now affects roughly 9.4% of five- to 19-year-olds compared with 9.2% who are underweight, a sharp reversal from 2000 when nearly 13% were underweight and 3% were obese. One in five children aged five to 19 is overweight, and a growing share of those are obese. Ultra-processed foods and urbanisation are replacing traditional diets, increasing energy-dense, low-nutrient consumption and raising risks to growth, cognitive development and long-term health.

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