For the first time in history, More children are obese Rather than underweight, Shift UNICEF says millions of children are at risk of life-threatening illnesses.
An analysis of the UN agency, covering data from over 190 countries between 2000 and 2022, has found that around 188 million children worldwide are obese by World Health Organization (WHO) standards since.
Meanwhile, one in five people under the age of 19 worldwide, or 391 million people, are overweight. Children are considered overweight if they carry excessive weight due to their age, gender and height, but obesity is a more serious form, significantly increasing the risk of serious health problems later in life.
Cutting out one food type could allow for almost twice as much weight loss, new research suggests
Between 2000 and 2022, the global obesity rate among people aged 5 to 19 and over three times more, jumping from 3% to 9.4%. During the same period, the prevalence of underweight children fell from nearly 13% to 9.2%.
“When we talk about malnutrition, we’re no longer talking about underweight children,” UNICEF executive director Katherine Russell said in a press release.
“When nutrition plays an important role in child growth and cognition, ultra-processed foods are increasingly being replaced by fruits, vegetables and proteins. Development and Mental Health She warned.
Most Americans get more than half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, the CDC discovers
While nutritional deficiencies remain an important issue, obesity is currently common in almost everywhere except in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The report highlights Obesity Hot Spots We also found that levels have doubled since the 2000s, especially in low- and middle-income countries, despite struggling with nutritional deficiencies. In small Pacific island countries like Niue and the Cook Islands, almost 40% of young people are obese.
Meanwhile, high levels of obesity persist in wealthy countries where ultra-highly processed foods make up more than half of adolescent calories. 27% of Chilean ages 5-19 live obese, but the prices in the US and the United Arab Emirates cost 21%.
Diabetes research reveals diagnostic gaps affecting millions of people
In wealthy countries such as the United States, doctors are increasingly helping teenagers use new weight loss medications as a tool to deal with the crisis.
“Obesity is not a parent or child failure. It is a result of a toxic food environment,” said Chris Van Tulken, author, professor and supporter of UNICEF. Reuters.
Obesity increases the risk of developing insulin resistance and hypertension, including life-threatening diseases in later years. Type 2 diabetes, According to the report, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
In addition to ultra-processed foods, especially salt, sugar and fatty foods, experts have denounced the aggressive marketing of junk food.
According to a survey of 64,000 young people conducted by agents in 170 countries, 75% found that they had sweet drinks, snacks, or Fast food Previous week. Even in conflict zones, 68% reported being exposed to this type of advertising. 65% of respondents in low-income countries were also exposed to them, including schools, social media, sporting events, and comics.
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week “Make America healthy again” (Maha) Childhood health reports warn that ultra-highly processed foods, sedentary behaviors, and many environmental and dietary factors are driving an increase in obesity and chronic disease in children in America.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
The administration said it would explore the development of potential industry guidelines to limit direct advertising for unhealthy foods to children.
UNICEF is urging governments around the world to impose urgent restrictions on junk food marketing and ban unhealthy products in schools.
In Mexico, where childhood and adolescent obesity is common and sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods make up 40% of children’s daily calories, the government recently banned the sale and distribution of salt, sugar, high-fat salt, sugar, high-fat salt, sugar, fat, and items in public schools.
The agency warned that without prompt action, this trend could drive a surge in diabetes, heart disease and other serious health issues.
