According to a report published by UNICEF, globally for the first time in history, obesity is a bigger problem among children than being underweight. Worldwide, one in five children is overweight, while one in ten children suffers from obesity. The figures for Belgium show that 21% of children are overweight and 6% to 7% obese. This is below the European average.
UNICEF’s report is based on data from over 190 countries. It reveals a significant changes since 2000. Globally the percentage of those aged between 5 and 19 years that are underweight old has fallen from 13% in 2000 per cent to 9.2% in 2022. Meanwhile, obesity has more than tripled from 3% to 9.4%.
Apart from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia obesity is now more common among children than children being underweight in every region of the world. UNICEF says that the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in many youngsters' diets is fueling the increase in the number of children and adolescents that are obese.
The UN agency is urging governments to act through stricter marketing rules, clearer labelling, taxes on unhealthy foods, bans on such foods in schools and better access to affordable, nutritious foodstuffs.
Here in Belgium 21% cent of children were overweight in 2022. This is the same proportion as in 2000. Obesity rates rose only slightly, from 6% to 7%. This puts Belgium below the European averages of 24% overweight and 8% obese. The proportion of underweight children in Belgium also remained stable at 2%. This compared to 3% in Europe as a whole.