The Unicef Report

Malnutrition: for the first time obesity exceeds underweight among children worldwide

One in 10 children is obese and one in 5 is overweight: the index points to the consumption of ultra-processed foods even in the faraway Pacific islands with costs of up to $4 trillion in 2035, but in Italy excess weight is falling and thinness is increasing

by Health Review

10 September 2025

4' min read

4' min read

Unicef certifies this: globally this year obesity has overtaken underweight as the most widespread form of malnutrition, affecting one in ten school-age and adolescent children - or 188 million - and thus exposing the younger generation to the risk of life-threatening diseases.

The new report 'Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children' is based on data from more than 190 countries and finds that the prevalence of underweight among boys and girls aged 5 to 19 has decreased since 2000, from almost 13% to 9.2%, while obesity rates have increased from 3% to 9.4%. Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Ultra-processed food under the lens

According to the report, several Pacific Island countries have the highest obesity rates globally, including 38% of children aged 5-19 years in Niue, 37% in the Cook Islands and 33% in Nauru. These levels, which have all doubled since the turn of the century, are largely driven by the shift from traditional diets to low-cost, high-energy imported foods.

Meanwhile, many high-income countries continue to have high levels of obesity: for example, 27% of 5-19 year olds in Chile live with obesity, 21% in the United States and 21% in the United Arab Emirates.

The Italy Case

"In Italy, the percentage of boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19 living with overweight has decreased from 32% in 2000 to 27% in 2022. The percentage of very young people in the same age group living with obesity has remained stable at 10% in 2022, while the number of children living with underweight (thinness) has increased from 1% in 2000 to 2% in 2022," Unicef Italy President Nicola Graziano stressed.

391 mln children overweight

"When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just referring to underweight children," said Catherine Russell, Unicef Director-General. "Obesity is a growing problem that can affect children's health and development. Ultra-processed foods are increasingly replacing fruit, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a key role in children's growth, cognitive development and mental health".

While malnutrition, such as acute malnutrition and chronic malnutrition, remains a significant concern among children under 5 years of age in most low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among school-age children and adolescents. According to the latest available data, 1 in 5 children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years globally, or 391 million, are overweight, a significant percentage of whom are now classified as living with obesity.

The health effects

Children are considered to be overweight when they weigh significantly more than is healthy for their age, sex and height. Obesity is a severe form of overweight and carries an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and hypertension, as well as life-threatening diseases in later life, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

The report warns that ultra-processed and fast foods - rich in sugars, refined starches, salt, unhealthy fats and additives - are influencing children's diets through unhealthy food environments, rather than through personal choices. These products dominate shops and schools, while digital marketing gives the food and beverage industry powerful access to young audiences.

The effects of marketing

For example, in a global survey of 64,000 young people aged 13-24 years from over 170 countries conducted last year through Unicef's U-Report platform, 75% of respondents recalled having seen advertisements for sugary drinks, snacks or fast food in the previous week and 60% said that the advertisements had increased their desire to consume such foods. Even in conflict-affected countries, 68% of young people said they had been exposed to these advertisements.

Stellar costs

Without interventions to prevent the spread of overweight and obesity among boys and girls, countries could face a health and economic impact that would exceed, for example, $210 billion in Peru, due to obesity-related health problems. By 2035, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity is expected to exceed USD 4 trillion annually.

Good Practices

The report highlights positive measures taken by governments. For example, in Mexico, a country that is facing a high percentage of children and adolescents living with obesity - and where sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods account for 40 per cent of children's daily calorie intake - the Government recently banned the sale and distribution in public schools of ultra-processed foods and products high in salt, sugar and fat - with a positive impact on more than 34 million children.

Recommendations

To transform dietary approaches and ensure that children have access to nutritious diets, UNICEF calls on governments, civil society and partners to act urgently:

- Implementing far-reaching mandatory measures to improve the food environment for children, including food labelling, food marketing restrictions, food taxes and subsidies.

- Implementing social and behavioural change initiatives that empower families and communities to demand a healthier eating environment.

- Banning the supply or sale of ultra-processed and junk food in schools and prohibiting the marketing and sponsorship of such food in schools.

- Establishing strict safeguards to prevent the ultra-processed food industry from interfering with public policy processes.

- Strengthening social protection programmes to tackle income poverty and improve financial access to nutritious diets for vulnerable families.

"In many countries we are witnessing the double burden of malnutrition: the existence of chronic malnutrition and obesity. This requires targeted interventions,' Russell said. Nutritious and affordable food must be made available to every child to support their growth and development. We urgently need policies that help parents and carers to access nutritious and healthy food for their children,' he said.