Overweight and undernutrition in children

A child can be overweight and undernourished at the same time. Overweight means the weight is too high for the height. It develops when a child takes in more energy than it uses, often through cheap processed food and sugary drinks. That food contains a lot of energy but few vitamins and minerals. In 2024, 35.5 million children under five were overweight worldwide, and that number has hardly gone down since 2000.

How is overweight measured?

For children under five, WHO uses weight for height. More than two standard deviations above the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards is overweight. More than three standard deviations is obesity.

The double burden of malnutrition

In many countries, undernutrition and overweight exist side by side: in the same community, in the same family and sometimes in the same person. A child who was stunted early in life has a higher risk of becoming overweight later, when the diet changes. A mother can be overweight and anaemic while her child is stunted. That is why fighting malnutrition is not only about more food, but about better food.

Causes of overweight in children

  • Cheap processed food and snacks with a lot of sugar, salt and fat.
  • Sugary drinks.
  • Less traditional food such as beans, lentils, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Less physical activity, especially in cities.
  • Limited knowledge of what a healthy, varied diet looks like.

Consequences of overweight

Overweight in childhood often continues into adulthood. It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Children who are overweight can still be short of iron, zinc or vitamin A.

How to prevent overweight

  • Breastfeeding in the first months of life.
  • Varied meals based on legumes, vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
  • Water instead of sugary drinks.
  • Fewer processed snacks.
  • Enough active play and physical activity.

The role of local, plant-based food

Traditional diets based on beans, lentils, grains, vegetables and fruit are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. They fill well without providing too much energy. Cooking with these local products protects children against both undernutrition and overweight.

What Green Food Foundation does

We work with local NGOs in Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, India and Tanzania. Through train the trainer programmes we teach health workers and mother groups how to prepare nutritious meals with local products, and we help set up vegetable gardens. Read more about how we work or support our work against malnutrition.

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