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

Obesity surpassed underweight as the most prevalent form of malnutrition this year, affecting one in 10,or 188 million, school-aged children and adolescents, and placing them at risk of life-threatening diseases, UNICEF warned in a new report. 

Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The report draws on data from over 190 countries and finds that, globally, one in 20 children under five years of age (5%), and one in five children and adolescents aged 5-19 years (20%) are living with overweight. 

2025 marks a historic turning point — for the first time, the global prevalence of obesity among school-age children and adolescents has surpassed that of underweight (9.4% versus 9.2%). This amounts to an estimated 188 million children and adolescents aged 15-19 years living with obesity in 2025, compared with 184 million children and adolescents living with underweight, the report states.

The report draws on data from over 190 countries, and finds the prevalence of underweight among children aged 5-19 years has declined since 2000, from nearly 13% to 9.2%, while obesity rates have increased from 3% to 9.4%. The report states that obesity levels have gone up largely driven by a shift from traditional diets to cheap, energy-dense, imported foods.

“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.”

While undernutrition — such as wasting and stunting — remains a significant concern among children under five years in most low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among school-aged children and adolescents. 

Children are considered overweight when they are significantly heavier than what is healthy for their age, sex, and height. 

Obesity is a severe form of overweight and leads to a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and high blood pressure, as well as life-threatening diseases later in life, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

The report warns that ultra-processed and fast foods — high in sugar, refined starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives — are shaping children’s diets through unhealthy food environments, rather than personal choice. These products dominate shops and schools, while digital marketing gives the food and beverage industry powerful access to young audiences.

The report further adds that without interventions to prevent childhood overweight and obesity, countries could face lifetime health and economic impacts.

To transform food environments and ensure children have access to nutritious diets, UNICEF is calling on governments, civil society, and partners to urgently implement comprehensive mandatory policies to improve children’s food environments, including food labelling, food marketing restrictions, and food taxes and subsidies and bring in social and behaviour change initiatives that empower families and communities to demand healthier food environments. 

It has also proposed to ban sale of ultra-processed and junk foods in schools, and prohibit food marketing and sponsorship in schools, among other initiatives.