The number of obese school-aged children has exceeded the number of underweight children globally, according to a new report released by UNICEF.
Today, “when we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said in a statement on the report’s release.
Since 2000, the number of underweight children has dropped from nearly 13% to 9.2%, among 5- to 19-year olds, according to data collected in over 190 countries.
According to the researchers at UNICEF, the rising trend of obesity is largely due to unhealthy food environments.
“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.”
According to a new UNICEF report, there are now more obese school-aged children worldwide than underweight children.
The report, which was released on Wednesday, shows that among children aged five to 19, obesity has surpassed undernourishment as the most common form of malnutrition for the first time.
“When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said in a statement following the report’s publication.
What was said in the report regarding obesity and undernourishment?
Based on data gathered in more than 190 countries, the percentage of children aged 5 to 19 who are underweight has decreased from almost 13 percent to 9 percent since 2000.
Over the same time period, obesity rates have almost tripled, rising from 3% to 9.4%. According to the study, 391 million children between the ages of five and nineteen are overweight, or one in five.
UNICEF called for the “tipping point” in 2017.
In every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, obesity now surpasses underweight. According to the report, high rates of obesity persist in many high-income nations, with 22 percent of children aged 5 to 19 in Chile, 21 percent in the US, and 21 percent in the UAE.
For what reason is obesity on the rise?
According to UNICEF researchers, unhealthy food environments are a major contributing factor to the rising obesity trend.
“Unhealthy food environments, rather than personal choice, are shaping children’s diets through ultra-processed and fast foods – high in sugar, refined starch, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives,” the report cautioned. “,”.
In the statement, Russell stated, “Obesity is a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children.”. “At a time when nutrition is crucial for children’s growth, cognitive development, and mental health, ultra-processed food is progressively taking the place of fruits, vegetables, and protein.”. “.”.
The report included recommendations for reducing the rising obesity trend, including enforcing restrictions on food marketing, improving the food environment by requiring food labeling, and prohibiting the sale or distribution of ultra-processed and junk food in schools.
Additionally, it recommended strengthening social protection programs to combat income poverty and increase access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods.
By Rana Taha, editor.
