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Obesity and Overweight

Posted 04 Oct 2025

Updated 08 Oct 2025

4 min read

Article Summary

Article Summary

UNICEF reports global childhood obesity now exceeds underweight, driven by unhealthy diets, inactivity, and weak policies, demanding comprehensive actions for healthier future generations.

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.

Rising Rates of overweight and obesity in India from NFHS-3 (2005–06) to NFHS-5 (2019–21)

  • Children (Under 5 years): 1.5% to 3.4%.
  • Adolescents:
    • Girls: 2.4% to 5.4%.
    • Boys: 1.7% to 6.6%.
  • Adults:
    • Women: 12.6% to 24.0%.
    • Men: 9.3% to 22.9%.

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.

Government Initiatives

  • POSHAN Abhiyaan: To improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescent girls, and mothers.
  • Eat Right India Movement: Ensures safe, healthy, and sustainable food via consumer awareness, supply-side programs, and school interventions.
  • 'Aaj Se Thoda Kam' Campaign: Nationwide campaign encouraging gradual reduction of fat, sugar, and salt intake.
  • RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) Initiative: Collects used cooking oil to safely repurpose it for biodiesel or soap, preventing re-entry into the food chain.

Global Policy Actions

  • WHO & UNICEF Frameworks: Supportive school environments, taxation of sugary drinks, food marketing regulations, and national surveillance of childhood obesity trends.
  • SDG Target 3.4: Focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, highlighting childhood obesity as a key intervention area.

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.

  • Tags :
  • Obesity and Overweight
  • UNICEF Report
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