Healthy Person with 1000 Wishes" Exhibition Initiated by Children Opened

In Mongolia, schools provide hot meals only for children in grades 1-5, covering less than 50% of the recommended calorie intake. Children in grades 6-12 still lack access to school meals. Fruit and vegetable consumption is extremely low, with 80% of children not consuming the recommended amount. The prices of fresh fruits and vegetables in Mongolia are 2-3 times higher than the global average. As a result, the physical and mental health of children and young people is suffering the most:

• The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is increasing rapidly. Among school children aged 13-17, the rate of overweight and obesity increased from 10.1% in 2013 to 14.6% in 2023, classified as "high" by WHO standards.
• Vitamin D and mineral deficiencies are widespread across all age groups in Mongolia, including children.

The "FIX MY FOOD" program, aimed at reducing rising levels of obesity among children and creating a healthy, nutritious food environment, is being implemented by UNICEF across eight countries in the East Asia and Pacific region, including Mongolia. Throughout this year, UNICEF Mongolia, in partnership with the National Children's Council, has organized numerous activities targeting children and youth.

As part of the "FIX MY FOOD" program, a training on "Healthy Eating - Healthy Future" was conducted both in-person and online for 83 members of the Children's Councils from 21 provinces. The trained children further organized the same training in their local communities and schools, reaching over 400 children.

The "Healthy Person with 1000 Wishes" exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Union of Mongolian Artists, highlights the need to improve access to healthy and nutritious food and raises awareness about how unhealthy food marketing and advertising influence children's choices. This exhibition features artworks created by children and youth under the guidance of leading Mongolian artists, aiming to urge decision-makers to create a healthy and safe food environment.

"Children and youth in Mongolia are surrounded by unhealthy food options, leading them to make unhealthy choices unknowingly, which negatively affects their physical and mental health. Through this advocacy work, children are calling for change, and we must listen to them. Their voices are powerful and can bring about change," emphasized UNICEF Representative Evariste Kouassi-Komlan during the opening.