The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has declared obesity as the most prevalent form of malnutrition this year, affecting 188 million school-aged children and adolescents.
The Fund warns that this threatens one in 10 children worldwide, placing them at risk of life-threatening diseases.
The Child Nutrition Report 2025 drew data from over 190 countries and finds obesity increasing by at least 6%, from 3% since 2000 to 9.4% in 2025.
While obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are exempted, according to the findings. Several Pacific Island countries, however, have the highest prevalence of obesity.
“While undernutrition such as wasting and stunting remains a significant concern among children under 5 in most low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among school aged children and adolescents,” UNICEF stated.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russel expressed concern about the impact of this development on the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Researchers have cited the replacement of fruits and vegetables with ultra-processed food as one of the leading causes of the spike in numbers.
UNICEF is urging a ban on the provision or sale of ultra-processed and junk foods in schools and “prohibit food marketing and sponsorship in schools.”
