In Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean in particular, the majority of children and teenagers have rapidly gone from being underweight to overweight.
According to the authors, this may be the result of increased consumption of high-energy foods, particularly highly processed carbohydrates, which lead to weight gain and poor long-term health outcomes.
Dr Fiona Bull, Coordinator of WHO's Programme for Surveillance and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), says: "these data underline, confirm and remind us that overweight and obesity reflect a current global health crisis, which threatens to worsen in the coming years if we don't take drastic action quickly".
Solutions exist In conjunction with the release of the new obesity estimates, WHO has published a summary of the implementation plan to end child obesity. The plan provides countries with clear guidance on effective measures
The WHO has also issued guidelines calling on health workers to
health professionals who are on the front line in actively detecting and managing children who are overweight or obese.
Dr Bull adds: "WHO is encouraging countries to make efforts to combat the environments that today increase the risk of obesity among our children.
children. In particular, countries should aim to reduce consumption of cheap, ultra-processed, high-calorie, nutrient-poor foods.
We also need to reduce the time children spend on screen-based and sedentary leisure activities by encouraging greater physical activity through sport.
and active leisure".