THE UNITED Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns about obesity exceeding underweight conditions in the younger generation.
UNICEF, in a report, highlighted concerns about how obesity is transcending among school age children and adolescents, as well as its impact on their health and development.
The report, ‘Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children,’ reveals that global obesity rates among children and adolescents (ages 5-19) have surpassed underweight rates for the first time.
While underweight prevalence decreased since 2000, obesity rates have tripled, now at 9.4%. This shift is observed in all regions except sub-Saharan African and South Africa, the report disclosed.
Several Pacific Island nations show the highest obesity rates, driven by a chance to imported, energy, dense foods.
High income countries like Chile, the United States and the United Arab-Emirates also face significant obesity challenges, the report pointed out.
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, said, “When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children. Obesity is a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children. Ultra processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”
While under nutrition remains a persistent issue for younger children, this rapid rise in overweight and obesity presents a dual burden for most low and middle-income countries.
The report says the distinction is critical, and defines overweight as a child being significantly heavier than what is healthy for their age, sex, and height.
Obesity is a severe medical condition that drastically increases the risk of developing insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and life-threatening diseases like type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers later in life.
Experts point to pervasive unhealthy food environments, rather than individual choice, as the primary driver.
A stark illustration of this influence comes from a global UNICEF poll of 64,000 young people aged 13-24.
The poll found that 75% of respondents had been exposed to advertisements for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast foods in the week prior, and 60% confirmed that the ads increased their desire to eat those foods.
The economic implications of inaction are profound, the report warned, adding that without urgent intervention, countries will face staggering lifetime costs from obesity-related health issues.
To transform food environments and ensure children have access to nutritious diets, UNICEF is urgently calling on governments and partners to, among others, “implement comprehensive mandatory policies including better food labelling, marketing restrictions, and taxes/subsidies to make healthy food more affordable.”
It is also urging government to empower families and communities through initiatives that help them demand healthier options.
Again, it is calling for protection of children in schools by banning the sale of ultra-processed foods and all related marketing and sponsorship, safeguarding public policy from interference by the ultra-processed food industry as well as strengthening social protection programmes to help vulnerable families afford a nutritious diet.
By Belinda Adjei