188 million children living with obesity; WHO flags global health alarm | India News
New Delhi: Around 188 million children and adolescents worldwide are living with obesity, World Health Organization (World Health Organization) warns, childhood obesity is one of the fastest growing public health crises driven by unhealthy diets, aggressive food marketing and an environment that emphasizes junk food over nutritious foods.In its latest global guidelines on obesity prevention, the WHO said nearly 390 million children aged 5-19 are overweight, including 188 million who are obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses later in life.The United Nations Health Organization warns that children today are surrounded by ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt and fat, which are widely promoted through television, digital media and even school environments. Such exposure, it says, is shaping lifelong eating habits and leading to an increase in childhood obesity.Calling for urgent action, WHO urges governments to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, improve the nutritional quality of foods sold in and around schools, and ensure clear front-of-pack warning labels to help families make informed choices. It emphasizes the need for healthy school meals, safe drinking water and regular physical activity as part of the daily routine.The guidelines warn that obesity is no longer a problem confined to rich countries. Rates are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, where children face a double burden of poor nutrition and easy access to cheap, unhealthy foods.Without strong policy interventions, the WHO warns, childhood obesity will continue to rise, placing a long-term burden on health systems and reducing future productivity. Preventing obesity, it says, is much easier — and much cheaper — than treating a lifelong disease.
