Why in the news? 

According to UNICEF's 2025 report, for the first time, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents has overtaken the proportion of underweight, highlighting a major shift in global child nutrition trends.

Key Findings of the UNICEF Report

• Obesity among children and adolescents aged 5–19 (9.4%) surpassed that of underweight (9.2%).
  • Obesity among this age group has tripled since 2000, rising from 3% to 9.4%, while underweight dropped from nearly 13% to 9.2%.
• Globally, one in twenty children under the age of 5 (5%) and one in five children and adolescents aged 5–19 (20%) is living with overweight.
• Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing the steepest rise in overweight.
• Obesity rates exceed underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Causes of Rising Childhood Obesity

• Shift to Unhealthy Diets: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and additives, dominate children's diets and are aggressively marketed, influencing children's diets.
• Economic Factors: Ultra-processed foods are often cheaper than nutritious, fresh foods. 
  • This price disparity is partly due to agricultural subsidies for key ingredients like corn, soy, and wheat, and the use of preservatives that extend shelf-life.
• Processed Foods in School Programs: According to 2024 Global Survey of School Meal Programs, one in four school meal programmes globally serves processed meat, and many offer sweets, deep-fried foods, and sugary drinks.
• Increased Physical Inactivity: There has been a global increase in physical inactivity due to lack of open spaces, changing modes of transport, and increased urbanization.
• Genetic Variants and Disorders: In some cases, obesity is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic variants.
• Weak Policies: Only 7% have mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and only 8% have food subsidies for healthy foods.

Impact of Rising Childhood Obesity

• Double Burden of Malnutrition: In countries like India, overweight coexists with undernutrition, showing a dual challenge for policy makers.
• Higher Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Children and adolescents with overweight and obesity are at a greater risk of developing serious NCDs later in life, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders etc.
• National Economic Costs: Childhood obesity rise healthcare costs and reduced workforce productivity.
  • Global obesity costs projected surpassing US$4 trillion by 2035.
• Mental Health Challenges: Overweight and obesity are associated with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression among children and adolescents.

Way forward

• Promote nutritious foods: Improve the availability and affordability of nutritious foods through social transfers (food, cash, vouchers) strengthening local food systems etc.
• Protect Breastfeeding: Implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, including restrictions on digital marketing.
• Legal Measures: Enforce rules on marketing, labeling, and taxation of unhealthy/ultra-processed foods to protect children. E.g., 40 percent GST on sweetened carbonated drinks.
• Promote Physical Activity: Encourage active lifestyles through programs like Fit India Movement and Khelo India.
• Public Awareness: Educate families and communities about healthy eating, risks of junk food, and physical activity.

Conclusion

Tackling childhood obesity requires holistic, multi-sectoral action, aligned with SDG targets, combining legal measures, access to nutritious food, public awareness, and physical activity to ensure healthier, stronger, and empowered children.