According to a new UNICEF report, one in every five children and adolescents worldwide is overweight, with nearly half suffering from obesity. The agency has cautioned that this period is a critical turning point in global child health. 

According to UNICEF's 2025 Child Nutrition Report, one in every five children and adolescents worldwide, or 391 million, is overweight. Of them, a frightening 42% are obese, a severe form of overweight. Simultaneously, the promotion of ultra-processed foods and beverages is transforming children's diets, putting them at risk for long-term health implications. 

The report reveals a dramatic shift in the nutritional status of children worldwide. "For the first time this year, obesity surpassed underweight as the more dominant form of malnutrition among school-age children and adolescents." Obesity rates among youngsters aged 5 to 19 have tripled since 2000, increasing from 3% to 9.4%. Underweight has decreased from 13% to 9.2% over the same time period. 

Junk food is in the centre

UNICEF emphasises the increasing prevalence of ultraprocessed meals high in sugar, salt, and harmful fats. These products currently dominate retail, education, and internet platforms. A global poll of 64,000 young people revealed that 75% had seen commercials for sugary drinks, snacks, or fast food in the previous week. Most admitted that these advertisements made them desire to consume such things. According to the report, 60 per cent of adolescents aged 15 to 19 consumed more than one sugary food or beverage the day before. 

South Asia: A Mixed Picture

Malnutrition persists in a variety of ways throughout South Asia. India, with its enormous child population, bears a significant portion of the burden. Around 31–33 per cent of Indian children under five are stunted, indicating long-term poor growth. Wasting, a measure of acute undernutrition, is especially concerning, at about 19%, one of the highest in the region. 

At the same time, India's overweight prevalence among young children is comparatively low (about 2.8%), although it is gradually increasing. Neighbourhoods exhibit distinct trends. Bangladesh and Nepal have eliminated stunting quicker than India, with rates approaching 30%. Sri Lanka, at 16%, is far forward in addressing the issue. Bhutan has a lower stunting incidence than India but a little higher overweight rate (about 5%). Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to see high rates of stunting and wasting. 

This regional comparison reveals that while India has made progress in lowering stunting, it is still weak in wasting. It also faces the dual challenge of undernutrition and the growing threat of obesity. 

The Way Forward 

UNICEF emphasises that reliable data on older children is scarce, making it difficult to develop effective policies. To build healthier food environments, the organisation emphasises the importance of action across many sectors, including food, health, education, water sanitation, and social protection. Timely data collection and analysis are critical for establishing realistic national targets and tracking progress towards the 2030 nutrition goals. 

The message is clear: hunger is no longer the sole focus of the fight against malnutrition. It is also about safeguarding children against unsafe meals, which can have long-term consequences for their health.