According to a new UNICEF report released recently, for the first time in the world, the number of overweight children has exceeded the number of underweight children. Researchers attribute this to the spread of unhealthy diets based on cheap and high-calorie foods.
According to the report, one in five children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years, that is, 391 million people, is overweight, some of them are obese.
Since 2000, the proportion of obese children in this age group has increased from 3% to 9.4%. Anti-record figures were recorded in the Pacific Island countries: Niue (38%), Cook Islands (37%) and Nauru (33%).
Experts emphasize that an effective solution may be to replace fast food, sweets, high-calorie foods, carbonated and colored drinks with natural products, vegetables and fruits.
Experts call an additional risk factor the increase in the number of children spending their free time in front of the TV, computer and gadgets.
In this regard, UNICEF recommends strengthening control over children's diets, introducing mandatory labeling of food products, limiting the marketing of certain types of food and beverages, and banning their sale in schools.
