By ATISH
Published: September 11, 2025
In a wake-up call for parents, schools, and governments around the globe, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has released a startling report. For the first time ever, obesity has become the leading form of malnutrition in the world. This shift happened this year, 2025, and it’s hitting kids and teens hard. The report points out that one in every 10 school-aged children and adolescents— that’s about 188 million young people— are now obese. This puts them at serious risk for dangerous health problems down the road.
Malnutrition isn’t just about not having enough food anymore. It’s also about having too much of the wrong kinds. UNICEF says that being underweight, which used to be the biggest worry, has been overtaken by obesity in most parts of the world. The only places where underweight is still more common are sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Everywhere else, like North America, Europe, Latin America, and even parts of Asia and the Pacific, obesity is taking over.
Catherine Russell, the head of UNICEF, shared her deep concerns in the report. “Ultra-processed foods are taking the place of fresh fruits, vegetables, and good proteins,” she said. These junk foods— think sugary snacks, sodas, and fast food— are cheap and easy to get, but they’re loaded with sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats. At a time when kids need strong nutrition for growing bodies, sharp minds, and healthy emotions, this trend is a real danger. Good food helps children learn better, stay active, and handle stress. But with obesity on the rise, many are missing out on that.
The report, titled something like “The State of the World’s Children,” dives into how diets have changed over the last few decades. Back in the 1970s, underweight kids were the main problem, especially in poor countries where hunger was widespread. Families struggled to find enough calories to eat. But as economies grew and food became more available, the focus shifted. Now, in many places, kids have plenty to eat, but it’s the wrong stuff. Vending machines in schools, ads for candy on TV, and busy parents grabbing quick meals have all played a part.
Obesity isn’t just about looking a bit heavy. It’s a serious health threat. Kids who are obese are more likely to get type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even some cancers as adults. It can also lead to breathing problems, joint pain, and low self-esteem right now. For girls and boys in their teens, it might mean teasing at school or feeling left out of sports. The report warns that these 188 million obese kids could face a lifetime of health battles if things don’t change.
Why is this happening so fast? UNICEF blames a mix of factors. In rich countries like the United States, portion sizes are huge, and fast-food chains are everywhere. In the U.S. alone, about one in five kids is obese, according to health experts. But it’s not just there— developing nations are catching up quickly. As cities grow and more families move to urban areas, traditional home-cooked meals with veggies and grains are fading. Instead, people turn to packaged foods that last longer and cost less.
The report also talks about how this affects different regions. In North America and Europe, obesity rates have been high for years, but now they’re even higher among kids. Latin America and the Middle East are seeing sharp jumps too. Even in places like China and India, where underweight was once king, obesity is rising as incomes go up and Western-style eating spreads. Only in parts of Africa and South Asia does underweight still top the list, often because of poverty, droughts, or wars that limit food access.
UNICEF isn’t just pointing fingers; it’s calling for action. Governments should make healthy foods cheaper and easier to find. Schools can swap out junk food in cafeterias for fruits and veggies. Parents are urged to cook more at home and limit screen time that leads to snacking. Communities can build parks and bike paths to get kids moving. “Nutrition is key to every child’s future,” Russell added. “We can’t let bad diets steal their potential.”
This news hits close to home for American families. In the U.S., childhood obesity has tripled since the 1970s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it’s linked to everything from school lunches to marketing of sugary cereals. Programs like Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” tried to fight it, but the battle continues. With UNICEF’s report, it’s clear this is a global problem that needs local solutions.
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Experts hope this report will spark change. Doctors say early habits matter— teaching kids to love apples over chips can last a lifetime. Policymakers might push for taxes on sodas or labels that warn about sugar, like they do in some countries. For now, the message is simple: Eat better, move more, and care for our kids’ health before it’s too late.
As the world marks this shift in malnutrition, one thing is sure— obesity’s rise is a challenge we all must face. With 188 million young lives at stake, the time to act is now.
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