Obesity overtakes underweight cases among children globally: UNICEF

According to the study, one in every ten school-aged children—or approximately 188 million—is now obese, putting them at risk for life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular complications.

The findings indicate a significant shift in global nutrition patterns, with obesity surpassing underweight in all regions except Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In Kenya, the crisis is taking on a complex form. The country faces what health experts call a “triple burden” of malnutrition—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition, including overweight and obesity. 

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, 3% of children under five are overweight, with Nyeri, Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi counties leading at 6%. 

Among adolescents aged 15 to 19, 13% of girls are overweight or obese, compared to 2% of boys.

The World Obesity Atlas 2022 predicts that by 2030, more than one million Kenyan children aged five to 19 will be obese, a stark warning of the rapidly escalating problem.

UNICEF Kenya Country Representative Shaheen Nilofer urged immediate collective action to reverse the trend.

“The growing burden of overweight and obesity is driven by a shift toward energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, and the aggressive marketing of unhealthy products. As a result, many young children—no matter where they live—struggle to access and consume a nutritious, balanced diet,” Nilofer said.

UNICEF Kenya is supporting the government to strengthen regulations around food marketing to children, reform policies that encourage healthier food production, and ensure nutritious options are both affordable and accessible.

 The organisation is also working in the community to promote healthier diets and raise awareness about the long-term consequences of poor nutrition.

Public health experts warn that without decisive action, Kenya's young population may face an unprecedented wave of noncommunicable diseases in the coming decades, putting additional strain on the country's health system.