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The number of school-aged children affected by obesity has surpassed those who are underweight for the first time, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Sept. 10, 2025, globally.
This marks a historic shift in childhood nutrition patterns.
According to UNICEF, the prevalence of obesity among children aged five to 19 has risen sharply from 3% in 2000 to 9.4% in 2025, affecting approximately 188 million children.
During the same period, the proportion of underweight children decreased from 13% to 9.2%.
While obesity rates have overtaken underweight rates in most regions of the world, this trend does not yet apply to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where underweight children remain more numerous than those affected by obesity.
UNICEF attributes the increase in childhood obesity primarily to the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods and aggressive marketing targeting children.
These foods are often high in sugar, salt, and fat and low in nutritional value.
Access to such foods has expanded particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Experts warn that childhood obesity significantly increases the risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers later in life.
The global economic burden of obesity-related health issues is projected to exceed $4 trillion by 2035.
UNICEF is calling on governments and civil society organizations to take urgent measures to ensure children have access to nutritious foods.
Recommended actions include restricting ultra-processed foods in schools, making healthy foods more affordable and accessible, and limiting marketing of unhealthy products to children.
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