UNICEF Report: Child Obesity Level Surpasses Underweight Cases Worldwide for the First Time
SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Institutions: NITI Aayog | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare| Ministry of Women and Child Development
UNICEF has released its Child Nutrition Report 2025: Feeding Profit. It is a comprehensive study showing that for the first time globally, obesity among school-age children and adolescents has surpassed underweight prevalence. Approximately 9.4% of 5β19-year-olds are now obese, compared to 9.2% who are underweight, a drastic shift from 2000, when underweight affected 13%, and obesity just 3%. Over 190 countries (including India) contributed data, painting a worrying picture of childrenβs diets shaped by ubiquitous, ultra-processed foods and pervasive marketing.
The report includes a data annex with detailed tables on overweight and obesity trends among children, accessible for quantitative analysis.
UNICEF calls attention to the long-term health and developmental risks-such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease-tied to this shift. It recommends policy actions including marketing restrictions, healthy food labeling, school food reforms, and support for local nutritious food systems, to reclaim childrenβs right to health.
Follow the full report here:
https://www.unicef.org/media/174091/file/CNR%202025%20-%20Feeding%20Profit%20-%20Final%20Report%20-%20English%20-%20FINAL.pdf.pdf