Novo

In 2025, obesity has overtaken underweight as the most prevalent form of malnutrition among school-age children and adolescents. As per UNICEF’s 2025 Child Nutrition Report, childhood overweight and obesity now affect around 35 million children under 5 and more than 391 million children and adolescents aged 5 - 19, with 81 per cent of them living in low- and middle-income countries. 

The impacts can be immediate and lifelong, increasing the risk of early-onset non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers, while also affecting children’s wellbeing through stigma and discrimination.

Beyond these individual impacts, overweight and obesity during childhood and adolescence have considerable consequences for families and societies. Childhood overweight and obesity strain health care systems, reduce workforce productivity and stymie economic growth. In the absence of effective action, the global economic impact of overweight and obesity in adults will surpass a staggering US$4 trillion annually (3 per cent of global GDP) by 2035.

Since 2019, Novo and UNICEF have partnered to raise childhood overweight and obesity from an under-recognized issue to a growing global policy and public health priority. 

The partnership has been at the forefront of driving systemic changes to prevent childhood overweight and obesity - positively impacting the lives of more than 50 million children and caregivers across Latin America & the Caribbean and East Asia & the Pacific regions through policy changes, advocacy and working closely with communities. The partnership has  played a crucial role in enhancing national legislation, ensuring greater protection, promotion, and support for child nutrition and health.  

Partnership expansion in 2026

In 2026, Novo and UNICEF renewed and expanded the partnership to support action in Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Egypt and Kenya, while accelerating learning across regions.

Our ambition is to reach more than 80 million children by 2030.  

Building on proven work in nutrition, the next phase of the partnership will address childhood overweight and obesity as a foundation for lifelong prevention of non-communicable diseases. The partnership will support efforts to transform children’s food environments, while also promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and access to quality primary health care. Together, these efforts aim to give children the best possible start in life by creating healthier environments at home, in schools, and in communities, and by strengthening the services families rely on. By improving the food children eat, encouraging active lifestyles, and supporting their physical and mental health, the partnership will help more children and adolescents grow, learn, and thrive.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, organization, product or service.

Last updated September 2026