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Context

A UNICEF report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments Are Failing Children, reveals that unhealthy food environments are fuelling a global surge in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents.

About UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)

It is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.

It was created in 1946, as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

In 1953, its mandate was expanded to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries.

It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965. 

It works in over 190 countries and territories with a network of country offices and regional hubs. Its headquarters are in New York City.

Its work is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from governments and private donors. 

Highlights of Child Nutrition Report 2025

Global Scenario

• 1 in 5 children/adolescents (5–19 years) are overweight.
• For the first time in 2025, global obesity prevalence (9.4%) surpassed underweight (9.2%) in this age group.
• Obesity is harder to reverse and linked to higher health risks than being overweight.

Food Environments

• Children are increasingly exposed to ultra-processed foods (UPF) and sugary drinks.
• School environments often promote unhealthy foods more than fruits/vegetables.
• Poorer areas face more unhealthy food displays than wealthier peers.

Weak Legal Protections

• Only 18% of 202 countries have mandatory school nutrition standards.
• Only 19% impose national taxes on unhealthy foods/drinks.
• Most countries rely on voluntary/fragmented measures, leaving children vulnerable.

Trends in India

• Overweight/Obesity Rising:
• Under-five obesity increased 127% (NFHS-3 to NFHS-5).
• Adolescent obesity: girls +125%, boys +288%.
• Future Burden: By 2030, India may have 27 million obese children/adolescents (11% of global burden).

Key Drivers

• Dietary Shifts: UPF and sugary drinks replacing traditional diets.
• UPF market grew from $900 mn (2006) → $37.9 bn (2019).
• Marketing Influence: Aggressive, especially digital ads targeting children.
• Lifestyle Factors: Low physical activity, more screen time.
• Social Norms: Girls/women often eat least and last → nutrition inequality.

Impacts

• Health Risks: Diabetes, hypertension, cancers, Cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Disease Burden: 56% of India’s disease load is linked to unhealthy diets. (Source: ICMR)

Initiatives taken by India

National Initiatives

Fit India Movement (2019): Promotes daily physical activity through mass participation.

Khelo India Programme: Encourages sports participation for a fit youth generation.

Eat Right India Movement (FSSAI): Aims to transform India's food system for safe and healthy eating.

National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD): Focuses on screening and promoting healthy lifestyles.

POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018): Works to improve nutrition for children, adolescents, and women.

Ayushman Bharat: Provides health and wellness centers for comprehensive primary healthcare.

Food and Labeling Regulations

FSSAI Limits on Trans Fats: Mandated less than 2% trans fatty acids in oils and fats.

School Food Regulations: Prohibits sale of High Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS) foods near schools.

Aaj Se Thoda Kam Campaign: Encourages consumers to reduce their intake of fat, salt, and sugar.

Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): Ensures safe repurposing of used cooking oil to prevent health risks.

Traditional Wellness and Healthcare

Ministry of AYUSH: Promotes yoga and Ayurvedic treatments for wellness and weight management.

Adolescent Health Programme (RKSK): Offers counseling on nutrition and NCDs for adolescents.

Challenges in India

Socioeconomic and Dietary Issues

Dual burden of malnutrition: Both undernutrition and obesity coexist, often in the same communities. Many cannot afford healthy diets and rely on cheap, high-calorie processed foods.

Growing processed food market: Urbanization and rising incomes fuel the consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed, and fast foods in both cities and rural areas.

Poor affordability: Healthy food like fruits and vegetables is often more expensive than junk food, limiting access for lower-income groups. 

Regulatory and Policy Gaps

Weak regulations: Food laws have been poorly enforced, especially regarding junk food advertising and labeling, despite growing obesity and diabetes rates.

Ineffective rating system: The "Indian Nutrition Rating" (INR) system is criticized for giving misleadingly positive ratings to unhealthy products, unlike clearer warning systems used elsewhere.

Industry influence: Food industry representatives have often swayed policy discussions, sidelining public health experts.

Program gaps: Many nutrition programs focus solely on undernutrition, overlooking the growing problem of overweight children. 

Lifestyle Factors

Sedentary lifestyles: Rapid urbanization, desk jobs, and increased screen time have reduced physical activity nationwide.

Inadequate infrastructure: Many cities lack safe walking and cycling paths or accessible green spaces, discouraging physical activity.

Health System Weaknesses

Insufficient screening: Routine check-ups often don't include standard obesity screenings, leading to missed diagnoses.

Personnel shortage: There's a severe shortage of trained nutritionists and dietitians, particularly in rural and low-income areas.

Overburdened system: The increasing number of obesity-related non-communicable diseases strains healthcare infrastructure. 

UNICEF Recommendations

• Protect Early Nutrition: Enforce breastfeeding codes, curb marketing of infant substitutes.
• Legal Measures:
• Mandatory school nutrition standards.
• Restrictions on junk food marketing.
• Strong front-of-pack warning labels.
• Taxes on sugary/UPF items.
• Improve Access: Subsidies for healthy foods, fortification, safe school drinking water.
• Shield Policymaking: Exclude UPF industry from policy influence.
• Behavioural Change: Campaigns to reduce UPF intake, build public support for healthy eating.
• Social Protection: Expand food/cash transfers, parental benefits, affordable childcare.

Conclusion

Unchecked childhood obesity threatens India’s health and economy, demanding urgent action through labelling, ad curbs, health taxes, and school nutrition reforms.

Source: THEHINDU