About 170 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 were living with obesity in 2024, including 70 million children aged five to nine and 100 million adolescents.
Obesity prevalence across the age group rose from 2% in 1990 to 8% in 2024.
The WHO described obesity as a chronic and recurring disease requiring timely, evidence-based and people-centred care.
Obesity during childhood can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other noncommunicable conditions. Stigma, discrimination and bullying can also affect mental health, education and social well-being.
WHO strongly recommended structured programmes combining healthy eating, physical activity and behavioural support. Care can be delivered individually or through programmes integrating several interventions.
Digital health support may also be used under the supervision of parents or caregivers. “The foundation of obesity care for children and adolescents is not medicine or surgery, but access to comprehensive support that enables healthy eating, physical activity and sustainable behaviour change,” WHO Nutrition and Food Safety Department Director Dr Luz María De Regil said.
WHO does not recommend weight-loss medicines, bariatric surgery or weight-loss devices for children aged nine and younger.
Approved medicines may be considered for adolescents aged 10 to 19 only when a supervised lifestyle programme has not produced the intended results.
Bariatric surgery may be considered under strict conditions for adolescents living with severe obesity. “Our priority must be to ensure that every child and adolescent can access quality care and supportive environments from an early age,” De Regil said.
The guidelines also call for mental health support because anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and emotional difficulties can contribute to unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and social withdrawal.
Health workers should address obesity and mental health conditions together through age-appropriate and family-supported care.
WHO said treatment should focus on overall health, physical functioning and well-being rather than weight loss alone. Long-term follow-up and continuity of care are also essential.
The agency warned that treatment alone would not reverse rising obesity.
Governments should make nutritious food and physical activity more accessible and affordable through measures covering education, transport, urban planning, social protection and fiscal policy.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–
