For the first time in History, More School-aged Children and Young People Worldwide Are Struggling with Obesity Than With Being Underweight, Accordination to a New Unicef Report. It seems good that more children have food, but it brings new problems.
The Report, Based on Data From More than 190 Countries, Shows That Obesity Among Children has Increeased Worldwide from 3 percent to 9.4 percent Since 2000. At the Same Time, the percentage of children who are Underweight Has Decrased Has Decreased Has Accordance to the World Health Organization (WHO), Overweight or Obesity occurs when some has been a abnormal or excessively large accumulation of body fat that can have a negative effect on health.
At first glance, that May seem like good news: more children have too much food, Instead of Too Little Food. But that is too simplistic, Says Ellen Blaak, Professor of Human Biology at Maastricht University. “Being Overweight is not good news. Obesity causes all child or other health problems.”
Blaak refers to insulin resistance, High Blood Pressure and Chronic Diseases Such As Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Certain Types of Cancer. Obesity in a child also does not mean that it is well nourished. Malnutrition is of associated with obesity because you do not get the right balance of nutrients.
Blaak is not surprised. “Malnutrition and Obesity Often Result from an energy-rich diet and too little physical activity. Our lifestyle plays a crucial role in this. We see this problem in Both Developing and Prosperous Countries.”
‘A Growing Threat’
Director Suzanne Laszlo Unicef Netherlands Calls Obesity “A Growing Threat to the Health and Development of Children Worldwide”. Unicef Points, Among Other Things, to the Role of Ultra-Processed Foods and Calorie-Rich Production. These Reach More and More Children Through Shops, Schools, Sports Cantens and Digital Marketing.
Accordance to Blaak, a Broad approach is needed to combat obesity. “We must continue to focus on prevention. Children Need to Become More Active, Nutrition Programs in Schools Need to Be Expanded and We Must also to look at Both Biological Causes and the Food Supply.”
Economic and Health Impact is growing
The Increase in the Number of Children with Obesity not only has CONSEQUESCES FOR THEIR PERSONAL Health, but also for the economy. Without Targeted Measures, The Global Economic Impact of Overweight and Obesity Could Amount to More Than 4 Trillion Dollars per year by 2035, Unicef Warns.
The Un Organization States That Governments Must Take Action Urgently. The Organization Calls, Among Other Things, For Mandatory Measures Such As Clear Labeling, Restrictions on Marketing Aimed at Children, and Taxes on Unhealthy Products. Unicef also calls for a ban on junk food and ultra-processed foods in schools.
“Nutritious and Affordable Food Must Be Avarable for Every Child,” Emphasizes Laszlo. “But Combating Obesity Goes Beyond Offering Healthy Food. We must work Towards An Environment in which families can More Easily Make Healthy Choices. This includes not only Nutritionion, but also Sufficient Exercise and Sleep.”