Allover the globe, the number of children struggling with obesity surpasses those who are underweight, according to recent research findings.
In a recent report, UNICEF has revealed that one in every ten school-aged children, amounting to 188 million, are affected by obesity worldwide. This is a significant concern, as the agency warns that ultra-processed and fast foods are shaping children's diets through unhealthy food environments.
The report, published by an unspecified nutrition report, highlights the growing issue of childhood obesity and its potential consequences. Obesity can lead to higher risks of developing insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and life-threatening diseases later in life, as health officials have stated.
UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, has urged governments and leaders worldwide to implement mandatory policies to improve children's food environments. This includes banning the provision or sale of ultra-processed and junk foods in schools, a move that has shown positive results in countries like Brazil, Chile, and the United Kingdom.
In these countries, policies restricting the sale and marketing of ultra-processed and fast-food items in schools have led to improvements in children's dietary habits and reductions in obesity rates. Similarly, Mexico's recent ban on the sale and distribution of ultra-processed foods and items high in salt, sugar, and fat in public schools is said to positively impact food environments for over 34 million children.
The report further emphasizes the need to strengthen programs to address income poverty and improve financial access to nutritious diets for vulnerable families. It states that more children are obese than underweight for the first time in history, and obesity now exceeds underweight in all regions of the world, except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Without interventions, countries could face lifetime health and economic impacts due to childhood overweight and obesity. UNICEF calls for policies that support parents and caretakers to access nutritious and healthy foods for their children. Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director, reiterates that nutritious and affordable food must be available to every child to support their growth and development.
The report also points out that ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables, and protein. It dominates stores and schools, and UNICEF shares data from over 190 countries to support this claim. The report suggests that without concerted efforts to improve children's diets, the global health crisis of childhood obesity will continue to grow.
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