Day: September 10, 2025

UNICEF Reports Obesity Now More Prevalent than Undernutrition Among Children

A new report by UNICEF reveals that obesity has overtaken undernutrition as the most prevalent form of malnutrition among children and adolescents worldwide. This alarming trend is primarily driven by the pervasive availability of ultra-processed foods and aggressive marketing tactics targeting young consumers, reports 24brussels.

The report, titled Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children, highlights that nearly one in ten individuals aged five to 19 now live with obesity. UNICEF warns that this epidemic persists even in regions still grappling with significant undernutrition challenges.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the shift in the landscape of malnutrition: “Today, when we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children. Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive development and mental health.”

From 2000 to 2022, the percentage of underweight youths decreased from 13 percent to 10 percent, according to data from 190 countries. Conversely, the number of overweight children and adolescents more than doubled, surging from 194 million to 391 million during the same period.

Obesity rates have seen even steeper increases. In 2000, only 3 percent of children globally, about 33 million, were classified as obese. By 2022, this figure escalated to 8 percent, equivalent to 163 million children. UNICEF characterizes this year as a “historic turning point,” with global obesity prevalence reaching 9.4 percent, surpassing underweight prevalence at 9.2 percent. The report estimates that 188 million young individuals are now obese.

UNICEF attributes this growing trend to what it describes as “unethical” business practices rather than family choices. Katherine Shats, a legal nutrition expert at UNICEF, pointed out the overwhelming exposure of children to junk food marketing within schools, emphasizing the need for protective measures in children’s food environments. “Children are being bombarded by … unhealthy food marketing of junk foods,” she stated.

While obesity rates have historically been higher in wealthier nations, such as Chile at 27 percent and the United States at 21 percent, the gap with low- and middle-income countries is rapidly closing. In certain Pacific islands, soaring obesity rates are linked to the replacement of traditional diets with imported processed foods. This situation has led to a coexistence of both undernutrition and obesity in many nations.

UNICEF is calling on governments to implement binding measures, including bans on junk food advertising, taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy products, and policies that promote the production and access to fresh foods.

The agency warns that without government intervention to regulate food environments, children around the world will remain vulnerable to an escalating epidemic of obesity, now recognized as the most common form of malnutrition.

Analysis of Ursula von der Leyen’s Evolving Leadership

In a stark departure from her initial optimistic outlook, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a somber assessment of global challenges, marking a significant transformation over the past five years. Her recent speech highlighted heightened tensions due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, alarm over pandemic preparedness, and the ongoing instability in Russian politics, reports 24brussels.

Von der Leyen’s address focused on the pressing need for a unified European response to internal and external threats. She emphasized the urgency of bolstering defense capabilities in light of the escalating conflict with Russia, stating that “we must stand together to protect our values and our future.” In a notable shift, she now identifies the war as a defining moment for Europe, urging member states to increase military spending and enhance cooperation.

The backdrop of von der Leyen’s speech included significant developments in Ukraine, where recent military advancements have prompted discussions around European support and strategic planning. With the European Union facing mounting pressure to respond effectively, von der Leyen framed the influence of Russia not only as immediate but also as a long-term challenge that could reshape geopolitical dynamics.

In addition to security, von der Leyen addressed the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that the lessons learned must translate into better preparedness for future crises. She declared, “The pandemic showed us our vulnerabilities, and we cannot afford to be complacent again.” This line of reasoning indicates a shift towards a proactive stance in global health policy, underlining the EU’s role in safeguarding public health across the bloc.

Reactions to von der Leyen’s statements have been mixed. Advocates of a strong European defense strategy applauded her firm stance, viewing it as a necessary evolution of leadership in an increasingly volatile world. Conversely, critics argue that her emphasis on military readiness may divert attention from essential diplomatic efforts aimed at conflict resolution in Ukraine and addressing the humanitarian repercussions of ongoing military operations.

The transformation in von der Leyen’s rhetoric reflects broader political shifts within the EU, as member states grapple with the implications of increased nationalism and security concerns. Analysts assert that her evolving message signifies a recognition of the need for robust leadership amid complex challenges that now define Europe’s political landscape.

This recent address symbolizes both a call to action and a reflection of the changing realities faced by Europe, as it navigates the intersection of security, public health, and diplomatic relations in a tumultuous global environment.

On September 9, 2025, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, told the agency’s Board of Governors in Vienna that six out of seven key principles of nuclear safety have been violated at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The assessment highlights the depth of the risks surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear facility, seized by Russian forces in March 2022. Grossi stressed that the plant’s current condition is unsustainable and carries severe international security implications.

Fragile infrastructure and mounting risks

The IAEA noted that the plant is supplied by only one external power line, a precarious arrangement that leaves safety systems vulnerable to outages. Water levels in the cooling reservoir have dropped to 13.4 meters, nearing the critical threshold of 12 meters below which the reactors’ cooling systems would fail. Grossi called for the construction of a pumping station to stabilize cooling capacity. All six reactors remain in cold shutdown, and under current conditions none can be restarted safely.

Ukrainian energy officials described the situation as an “off-design threat,” warning that the plant is operating outside of any planned safety regime. The ministry emphasized that the consequences of such operation cannot be fully assessed under conditions of military occupation, where proper maintenance and oversight are impossible.

Russian control undermines safety

Moscow has replaced much of the original Ukrainian staff with its own personnel, raising concerns about competence and oversight. Reports of explosions, fires and nearly a dozen blackouts underscore the fragility of the plant’s infrastructure. Despite the IAEA’s continuous monitoring mission since 2022, Russian authorities continue to restrict inspectors’ access to critical areas, including a new dam near a cooling pond. Limited access prevents a full evaluation of risks and obscures the real condition of safety systems.

Analysts warn that any attempt by Moscow to connect the plant to Russia’s power grid ahead of the winter heating season would escalate the danger, as such integration would bypass international safety norms and be managed by inadequately trained staff.

Potential consequences for Europe

Experts caution that a severe nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia could surpass both Chernobyl and Fukushima in scale. In the worst-case scenario, the exclusion zone could expand to 30,000 square kilometers, ten times larger than the Chernobyl zone, while contaminated areas could cover up to 2 million square kilometers. Radioactive fallout would likely spread beyond Ukraine to neighboring European countries, and could reach the Dnipro River as well as the Black and Azov Seas, triggering an environmental disaster.

Calls for de-occupation and international oversight

Ukrainian officials and nuclear experts insist that the plant must be fully de-occupied and returned under the control of Energoatom, Ukraine’s legitimate operator. Only then can professional maintenance, engineering work and the establishment of a demilitarized zone restore safety standards. They argue that the IAEA must apply greater pressure on Moscow to ensure such a transition.

The issue has also surfaced in high-level diplomacy. During talks earlier this year, Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump discussed the future of the plant, including possible U.S. assistance in its de-occupation and management. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously suggested that transferring control of the facility to the United States would provide the strongest safeguard for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.