Dominic Hughes<\/span>Global Health correspondent<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n For the first time, there are more children in the world who are obese than underweight, according to a major study by children’s charity Unicef.<\/p>\n Around one in 10 of those aged between five and 19 years old – around 188 million children and young people – are now thought to be affected by obesity. <\/p>\n Researchers blame a shift from traditional diets to ones heavily reliant on ultra-processed foods that are relatively cheap and high in calories. <\/p>\n Unicef, an agency of the United Nations, is urging governments to protect children’s diets from unhealthy ingredients and stop the ultra-processed food industry from interfering in policy decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When health experts used to refer to malnourished children, that was often read as those who were underweight. <\/p>\n Not any more \u2013 that term now also refers to the impact of obesity on the health and development of children. Even in poorer countries that is now a real concern. <\/p>\n Children are considered overweight when they are significantly heavier than a healthy weight for their age, sex and height. <\/p>\n Obesity is a severe form of being overweight, and is linked to a higher risk of type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, in later life.<\/p>\n Throughout childhood, good nutrition, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein, plays a vital role in growth, cognitive development and mental health. <\/p>\n But many traditional diets are being displaced by ultra-processed foods, often high in sugar, starch, salt, unhealthy fats and additives. <\/p>\n Unicef executive director Catherine Russell says the challenges posed by obesity should not be under-estimated. She said it’s “a growing concern” that can affect the health and development of children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Undernutrition – which can manifest itself as wasting and stunting – remains a significant problem in the under-fives in many low and middle income countries.<\/p>\n But the latest data from Unicef – a study that draws on data from more than 190 countries – finds the prevalence of underweight children aged 5-19 has declined since 2000, from nearly 13% to 9.2%.<\/p>\n Obesity rates however have increased from 3% to 9.4%, meaning that almost one in 10 children are now obese. <\/p>\n The number of overweight children – which includes those who are obese – has also increased to the extent that now 1 in five school-age children and adolescents are overweight.<\/p>\n That’s roughly 391 million children across the globe, the study estimates.<\/p>\n Obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.<\/p>\n The highest rates of obesity among children and young people are found in some of the Pacific Island states, including Niue (38%), the Cook Islands (37%), and Nauru (33%).<\/p>\n But many high-income countries also face a serious obesity problem. Among 5-19 year olds, 27% are obese in Chile, 21% in the United States, and 21% in the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n Unicef’s Catherine Russell says: “In many countries we are seeing the double burden of malnutrition \u2013 the existence of stunting and obesity. <\/p>\n “This requires targeted interventions. <\/p>\n “Nutritious and affordable food must be available to every child to support their growth and development. <\/p>\n “We urgently need policies that support parents and caretakers to access nutritious and healthy foods for their children.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7721\/live\/953671c0-8d87-11f0-9530-4d799fcfe1d6.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nOverweight and malnourished <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
1 in 10 are now obese<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Call to action<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n