For the first time, obesity exceeded low weight as the most prevalent form of child malnutrition. UNICEF warns that current food environments violate fundamental rights and demand urgent policies.
A historical fact has just been confirmed: For the first time, obesity exceeded low weight as the most prevalent form of malnutrition between children and adolescents aged 5 to 19. This is what the UNICEF Child Nutrition Report 2025who warns how Current food environments are failing to protect childhood.
This finding not only describes an epidemiological tendency: Interpellate directly to childhood rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Childratified by Argentina in 1990, recognizes in its article 24 the right to enjoy the highest possible health level and access to nutritious and adequate food. When food environments mostly offer ultraprocess and sugary drinks, that fundamental right is violated and the full development of millions of girls, boys and adolescents is committed.
Far from being an isolated phenomenon, One in five girls, boys and adolescents in the world lives overweight or obesity. Latin America and the Caribbean They are among the regions with the highest prevalence, and Argentina is no exception: In our country, more than a third of the calories consumed by adolescents come from ultraprocessed foodsrich in sugars, fats and salt, but poor in essential nutrients.
The consequences are serious: Obesity is more difficult to reverse than overweight and increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer In adulthood. It also affects the Mental healthgenerating stigma, anxiety and depressionand supposes a economic and emotional load for families.
In Argentina, where malnutrition spotlights persist along with the increase in excess weight, The double malnutrition load reflects inequality and environments that do not guarantee adequate foods.
But this scenario has a way out. He right to adequate food It implies generating conditions that make it possible. Countries that advanced in Regulated advertising, front labeling, taxes on sugary drinks and healthy school environments They show improvements in consumption. In Argentina, the full and sustained implementation of these policies You can transform environments and facilitate healthier choices.
That Obesity has surpassed low weight marks a turning point. The challenge is protect the right of each child to grow with health and well -beingguaranteeing food environments that make it possible. The evidence shows that, when they are prioritized the rights of childhood over commercial intereststhe results come: healthier environments, healthier life trajectories and fairer societies.
UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officer
Source: Ambito
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