For the First Time, Childhood Obesity Surpasses Severe Undernutrition GloballyHAI Global Foundation

A new warning about global child health has made headlines. According to a report released by UNICEF on September 10, for the first time in modern history, the number of school-aged children living with obesity has surpassed those suffering from severe undernutrition.

The report, titled “Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children”, draws from data in over 190 countries and reveals a dramatic shift in child nutrition trends.

📊 Key Findings:

• 9.4% of children ages 5 to 19 are living with obesity, compared to 9.2% who are underweight.

• In 2000, just 3% of children were obese, while nearly 13% were underweight. Today, those numbers have flipped.

• The rise in obesity is linked to food environments dominated by ultra-processed products high in sugar, fat, and salt.

• Regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia are experiencing the sharpest increases.

As highlighted in The Economist’s coverage of the report, the geography of childhood obesity is shifting. This is no longer a phenomenon exclusive to high-income countries. The epidemic is spreading across the developing world, disproportionately affecting children from low-income, urban, and underserved communities.

🔍 Why It Matters

At HAI Global Foundation, this trend is at the heart of our mission. Childhood obesity is closely linked to rising rates of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease—now appearing at younger ages.

We believe that health starts with habits. That’s why we focus on accessible, evidence-based solutions—grounded in behavioral science, practical nutrition, and digital innovation—to help families, especially those neglected by health systems, adopt healthier routines.

📣 Call to Action

UNICEF’s report is a wake-up call to rethink our food environments, public policies, and educational systems. We must create a world where every child has access to nutritious, affordable food and is protected from harmful marketing.

👉 Want to support our work to prevent chronic disease from early childhood? Contact us at: info@haiglobalfoundation.org.