Lead: A UNICEF report released on 10 September 2025 finds that, for the first time, more school‑age children and adolescents worldwide are obese than underweight. The agency estimates about 188 million young people are living with obesity, a shift driven by rising consumption of ultra‑processed foods and beverages. The pattern holds across most regions except sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia, the analysis of data from more than 190 countries shows. The finding signals a major change in the global malnutrition landscape and raises fresh public‑health challenges.
Key takeaways
- UNICEF reports approximately 188 million children and adolescents are obese globally, surpassing the number who are underweight.
- Overweight among 5–19 year‑olds doubled in 25 years, from 194 million in 2000 to about 391 million in 2025, with a substantial share classified as obese.
- Obesity now exceeds underweight in every global region except sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia, based on data from over 190 countries.
- Some Pacific Island nations have the highest prevalence: Niue 38%, Cook Islands 37% and Nauru 33% among 5–19 year‑olds.
- High‑income countries show elevated rates too: Chile 27% (5–19), United States 21% (5–19) and United Arab Emirates 21% (5–19).
- The decline in underweight prevalence among 5–19 year‑olds — from nearly 13% in 2000 to 9.2% in 2025 — coexists with persistent undernutrition in many children under 5.
- Socioeconomic patterns vary: in high‑income countries overweight is more common among poorer households; in low‑income countries it is more frequent among wealthier families; middle‑income nations see overweight across income groups.
Background
The UNICEF report draws on standardized health and nutrition data compiled from more than 190 countries and territories to compare trends across age groups and regions. Over the past quarter century, global food systems have undergone rapid transformation — increased availability of energy‑dense ultra‑processed foods, growth of global food marketing, and changing urban lifestyles — factors commonly cited in nutrition research. Historically, global malnutrition narratives emphasized underweight, wasting and stunting, particularly among infants and young children in low‑income settings; this new analysis highlights a coexisting and expanding problem of excess weight among older children and adolescents. Governments, international agencies and health systems are now facing a ‘double burden’ of malnutrition: persistent undernutrition in the youngest and too much energy intake and poor diet quality in school‑age children.
Multiple stakeholders influence outcomes: national ministries of health and education, multinational food and beverage companies, local retailers, and families. Policy responses over the past decade have included school feeding programs, sugar taxes, front‑of‑pack labelling and advertising restrictions targeting children, but implementation has varied widely. Public health experts note that preventive action requires coordination across agriculture, trade, education and health sectors, alongside investments in primary care to detect and manage obesity‑related conditions early. The UNICEF findings are intended to prompt such multisectoral responses by documenting the scale and geographic spread of the shift.
Main event
The report’s core finding—that obesity among school‑age children now outnumbers underweight globally except in two regions—comes from pooled national surveys, administrative data and modelled estimates covering ages 5–19. Researchers applied World Health Organization definitions for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents to ensure comparability across countries. The team estimated that overall overweight (including obesity) climbed from about 194 million in 2000 to 391 million in 2025; within that group, 188 million meet criteria for obesity, which carries higher risks of insulin resistance, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Regionally, the highest prevalence rates appear in several Pacific Island states where small populations and rapid dietary shifts have produced striking figures—Niue (38% of 5–19 year‑olds), Cook Islands (37%) and Nauru (33%). High‑income countries such as Chile (27% of 5–19 year‑olds), the United States (21%) and the United Arab Emirates (21%) also show substantial levels. The report highlights that ultra‑processed and fast foods high in sugar, refined starches, salt, unhealthy fats and additives are widely marketed to and consumed by children, contributing to rising body mass indices in many settings.
UNICEF’s executive director emphasized that malnutrition conversations must expand beyond underweight. As the agency noted, obesity is now a major concern for children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health because poor diet quality is replacing more nutritious options at a crucial time for development. The report also points to diverging socioeconomic patterns: in wealthier nations, overweight tends to be concentrated in lower‑income households, while in poorer countries it is often associated with higher household wealth.
Analysis & implications
The shift from underweight to overweight as the dominant form of malnutrition among school‑age children in much of the world reflects deeper changes in global food systems. Increased production and marketing of ultra‑processed foods have lowered the cost and increased the availability of high‑calorie, nutrient‑poor products. Children are particularly vulnerable to advertising and to environments where healthy choices are less accessible or more expensive. Policymakers will need to address food environments—through taxes, labelling, advertising restrictions and school food standards—if they are to reverse these trends.
Healthcare systems face both short‑ and long‑term implications. Rising childhood obesity will increase future burdens of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other noncommunicable diseases, stretching primary care and specialist services, especially in countries with limited resources. Early prevention can limit these downstream costs, but many low‑ and middle‑income countries lack integrated child nutrition and NCD prevention programs. International financing and technical cooperation may be required to support scalable interventions in resource‑constrained settings.
The socioeconomic patterning of overweight across countries complicates policy design. Interventions that work in high‑income contexts—where obesity is concentrated among poorer families—may not translate directly to low‑income settings where wealthier households are more affected. Middle‑income countries face a particularly complex mix, with unhealthy diets widespread across income groups. Policymakers should therefore adopt context‑sensitive strategies that combine universal measures (e.g., product reformulation, fiscal tools) with targeted supports for vulnerable populations.
Comparison & data
| Country / Territory | Obesity prevalence (ages 5–19) | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Niue | 38% | Pacific Islands |
| Cook Islands | 37% | Pacific Islands |
| Nauru | 33% | Pacific Islands |
| Chile | 27% | Latin America |
| United States | 21% | High income |
| United Arab Emirates | 21% | High income |
The table highlights striking national contrasts: small Pacific Island states report the highest prevalence, while some high‑income countries also report double‑digit rates. Globally, the number of children classified as overweight (including obesity) rose from about 194 million in 2000 to roughly 391 million in 2025, while underweight prevalence among 5–19 year‑olds fell from nearly 13% to 9.2%. These parallel trends underline the coexistence of reducing underweight prevalence and rising excess weight in older children.
Reactions & quotes
UNICEF framed the finding as a call to broaden malnutrition policy beyond undernutrition.
“When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children.”
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
A global health agency highlighted the link between diet quality and long‑term disease risk and urged multisectoral action.
“Poor diet quality in childhood sets the stage for chronic disease across the life course.”
World Health Organization (official)
Independent public‑health observers noted that addressing the problem will require shifting food environments and stronger regulation of marketing to children.
“Policy measures that change what children see, buy and eat are central to slowing this trend.”
Public health researcher (academic)
Unconfirmed
- The precise share of the 188 million obese children directly attributable to food marketing versus other drivers (physical inactivity, urban design, household food access) is not established in the report.
- Country‑level projections of obesity prevalence beyond 2025 are modelled and subject to change based on policy action and economic trends.
- Evidence on the effectiveness of specific policy mixes (taxes, labelling, advertising bans) in every national context remains incomplete and varies by implementation.
Bottom line
The UNICEF finding that more school‑age children are obese than underweight in most of the world marks a turning point in how malnutrition must be framed and addressed. It demonstrates that reducing underweight alone is no longer sufficient; public health strategies must simultaneously stem the rise of obesity through measures that improve diet quality, restrict harmful marketing, and make healthy food more accessible and affordable.
Policymakers should prioritize multisectoral approaches tailored to local socioeconomic patterns, combine prevention with early clinical management, and monitor progress with improved data collection. The next five to ten years will be decisive: effective policy action now can reduce a looming burden of chronic disease and protect children’s health and development globally.
Sources
- CNN — news report summarizing the UNICEF analysis (media)
- UNICEF — official agency reports and press material (official)
- World Health Organization — definitions and health risks for overweight and obesity (official)