Health
WHO Issues First Global Guidelines to Tackle Child and Adolescent Obesity Surge
The World Health Organization released its inaugural global guidance on child obesity, urging diet, activity and mental‑health support while limiting drugs and surgery, as around 170 million children and adolescents worldwide face the condition.
Rising Scale of the Problem
Obesity among people aged five to nineteen has risen dramatically, quadrupling since 1990. Today roughly eight percent of this age group—around 170 million children and adolescents in 2024—live with obesity, including 70 million children aged five to nine and another 100 million adolescents. The condition is linked to higher chances of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other non‑communicable illnesses. Beyond physical health, affected youngsters often encounter stigma, discrimination and bullying, which can erode mental well‑being and compound long‑term risks.
Evidence‑Based Care for Young People
The new WHO guidance places lifestyle change at the core of treatment. It recommends balanced dietary shifts, regular physical activity and behavior‑changing programmes as first‑line interventions. Pharmacological options are discouraged for children under ten, and for those aged ten to nineteen, medicines such as GLP‑1 therapies may be considered only after a supervised lifestyle programme has failed. Bariatric surgery is permitted only under strict criteria for severe cases in adolescents. The guidelines also stress that care must address anxiety, depression and low self‑esteem, offering long‑term follow‑up tailored to each child’s needs.
Beyond Treatment: Policy and Environment
WHO officials stress that individual care cannot reverse the global rise without broader systemic action. The agency calls for policies that make nutritious foods affordable, regulate marketing of unhealthy products, and introduce fiscal measures that encourage healthier choices. It also urges investment in school meals, safe spaces for physical activity, urban planning that supports walking and cycling, and social‑protection programmes that reduce barriers to a healthy lifestyle. According to Dr. Luz María De Regil, ensuring early access to comprehensive support and supportive environments is essential for lifelong health.