Childhood obesity exceeds its low weight for the first time: one in ten children in the world suffers from it
For the first time in history, childhood obesity has surpassed low weight as the most common form of malnutrition in the world, according to the " Feeding the Business " report published by Unicef.
Today, 188 million children and adolescents (1 in 10) are obese, and 391 million are overweight, a figure that has doubled since 2000.
According to the report, unhealthy foods, marked bymassive availability of ultra-processed foods, sugar drinks and fast food, are feeding this crisis.
Intensive digital advertising exacerbates the problem
75 % of young people say they've seen advertisements for unhealthy products in the last week, and 6 out of 10 admit that their consumption is increasing.
Its effects on health are severe:
- Chronic diseases: type 2 diabetes, increased risk of hypertension and heart disease.
- Mental impact: increased anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
- Economic cost: if it doesn't act, obesity spending will exceed $4 billion a yearby 2035.
Unicef has denounced the excessive influence of the ultra-processed food industry on governments, making it difficult to implement effective regulations.
Despite the challenge, some countries are taking action. Mexico has banned the sale of ultra-processed products in schools, and Spain has adoptedthe Royal Decree on Healthy School Canteens, which introduces balanced menus and eliminates products containing excess sugar, salt and fat in schools.
The organization calls for urgent action and proposes measures such as reducing advertising for minors, improving labelling, taxing ultra-processed products, promoting healthy diets and shielding public policies from industrial pressure.
"The problem is not just malnutrition," Unicef CEO Catherine Russell warned. "Childhood obesity has become a global threat and strong policies are needed to ensure that all children have healthy food," she said.
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