United Nations, 12 September (IANS). The unmatched use of junk food has pushed children and teenagers to obesity. As a result of this, children/teenagers between five and 19 years of age are becoming a victim of obesity. UNICEF has issued a warning in a new report.
In this horrific report, UNICEF estimates that in 2025, one in about 10 children in this age group will be struggling with serious disease, due to the easy availability of ultra processed junk food. According to the agency, there too, “Even in those countries who are still struggling with hair malnutrition.”
UNICEF chief Catherine Russell released a report saying in a statement, “Today when we talk about malnutrition, we are not only talking about underweight children.”
“Ultra processed junk food is replacing fruits, vegetables and proteins at a time when nutrition plays an important role in children’s development and mental health.”
The battle to reduce starvation in the world is being fought well in some areas. According to data collected from 190 countries, 5–19-year-old children are low in underweight children/youth. It was 13 percent in 2000, and in 2022 it has come down to 10 percent. But in the same period, there has been a huge increase in the number of overweight children in this age group. In 2000, the number was 19.4 crores, then in 2022 reached 39.1 crore.
Looking at the trends, UNICEF believes that a “historical turn” has come this year; The obesity rate of this age group was 9.4 percent, while underweight children were 9.2 percent.
According to estimates, 18.8 crore children and teenagers are struggling with obesity.
UNICEF clearly stated that the main reason for this is not only the choice of wrong food, but also immoral professional practices adopted to earn profit. UNICEF said that the blame is neither of children nor their families, but “the failure of society in protecting the environment in which children are older.”
Historically, the rate of overweight children in more developed countries is quite good. For some countries this situation is not less than a double curse. These countries are such that both malnutrition and obesity are suffering.
-IANS
KR/
