Childhood obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-aged children and adolescents, according to a new UNICEF report released on Tuesday.

The study, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, found that one in ten children worldwide about 188 million are now living with obesity, a trend UNICEF warns poses serious long-term health risks.

“Obesity surpassed underweight as the more prevalent form of malnutrition this year, affecting 1 in 10, or 188 million school-aged children and adolescents, and placing them at risk of life-threatening disease,” the report stated.

Data shows that since 2000, obesity among children aged 5–19 has more than tripled, rising from 3 per cent to 9.4 per cent, while underweight cases dropped from nearly 13 per cent to 9.2 per cent.

“When we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Obesity is a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children. Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”

The report highlights that obesity now exceeds underweight in every region except sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. It attributes the surge to the widespread availability and aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods, which are increasingly present in shops, schools, and online platforms targeting young people.

“In many countries, we are seeing the double burden of malnutrition the existence of both stunting and obesity,” Russell warned.

UNICEF called for urgent policy reforms to ensure access to nutritious and affordable food, stressing that governments must support parents and caregivers in making healthier choices for their children.