India, Sept. 15 -- On September 10, a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) study highlighted that the world has more obese children and adolescents (15-19 age group) than malnourished ones, primarily because of the availability of cheap and energy-dense ultra-processed food. The study found that the obesity among children has more than doubled since 2000 in parts of the world, including South Asia. One in five children and adolescents is obese, as per data from over 190 countries.

UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell called obesity a growing concern that can impact the health and development of children. He noted that ultra-processed foods are increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables, and protein, which is particularly concern...