WHO: 170 million children and adolescents worldwide have obesity — Anadolu Agency
In Türkiye, Anadolu Agency, citing the World Health Organization, reported that in 2024, 170 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 worldwide were living with obesity. The prevalence of obesity in this age group rose from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2024.
Figures by age
Of the 170 million children and adolescents with obesity, 70 million were children aged 5 to 9, while another 100 million were adolescents aged 10 to 19. The WHO described obesity as a chronic disease.
According to the organization, obesity can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at an early age. The WHO also drew attention to associated mental health consequences, including stigmatization, bullying, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The organization called for the physical and mental health of children and adolescents to be considered comprehensively.
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Recommendations for care
The WHO has issued its first guidelines on care for children and adolescents with obesity. They provide for structured interventions focused on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral change.
Weight-loss medications, bariatric surgery, and weight-loss devices should not be used to treat children aged 0 to 9. For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved medications may be considered only when a comprehensive supervised lifestyle-change program has not produced the desired result. Bariatric surgery may be considered under strict conditions in cases of severe obesity.
The WHO stressed that care should be long-term, appropriate to the child's age, and take into account the needs of their family. The organization also noted that treatment alone will not be able to halt the growing prevalence of obesity without more accessible healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.
