UNICEF ​​Report on Child Obesity: The UNICEF report has revealed that now more children in the world are obese than thin children. The situation is serious in America and South Africa.

UNICEF ​​Report on Child Obesity:  For the first time in the world, the problem of obesity is increasing among children instead of thinness. UNICEF's new report warns that ultra-processed junk food is dominating the diet of children, putting their health and development in serious danger. According to the report, about 188 million children in the world, or one in every 10, are obese.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said about the report that when we talk about malnutrition, now we have to worry not only about thin children but also about children struggling with obesity. Junk food is now replacing fruits, vegetables, and protein. Proper nutrition is very important for the physical and mental development of children. 

Obesity has replaced malnutrition 

The report shows that 9.2 percent of children between 5 and 19 years are thin, while 9.4 percent children are obese. In the year 2000, where about 13% children were thin and only three percent were obese, the situation has reversed now. Obesity has now become a bigger threat than malnutrition in all areas.

In which countries the situation is the worst 

1. Pacific Islands - Niue and Cook Islands have the highest rates of obesity among children aged 5 to 19. 
2. The situation is serious in all three rich countries - Chile, America and UAE . Among these countries, the obesity rate is 27 percent in Chile, 21 percent in America and 21 percent in UAE. 
3. Britain- In Britain, the rate of obesity among children was 9 percent in the year 2000, which has now increased to 11 percent in 2022. 
4. Kenya - In Kenya, the number of obese girls has doubled in the last 20 years to 13 percent. 
5. South Africa- In South Africa, one in every eight children is suffering from obesity while one in every four children is a victim of stunting. 

Big impact on children's health 

UNICEF's report shows that obesity is increasing the risk of heart diseases, diabetes and cancer in children. Ultra-processed foods such as packaged snacks, sweet drinks, biscuits, cakes and ready-to-eat meals dominate children's diets. These foods are high in sugar, fat and salt and go through industrial processes. This report warns that schools and markets are full of junk food and their marketing on digital platforms is targeting children and parents. UNICEF has appealed to governments to impose labeling and tax on junk food. Apart from this, their sale and advertisements should be banned in schools and better plans should be made to provide a healthy diet to poor families. This report also praises Mexico's move, where the sale and distribution of junk food in schools has been banned.