The global epicentre of childhood obesity has shifted toward low- and middle-income countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. Backed by the World Health Organization, international researchers tracking nutritional challenges among children aged 5 to 19 have revealed an acceleration of obesity rates running parallel to stubborn undernutrition.
Intan Permatasari’s story illustrates a quiet crisis unfolding across the developing world. Growing up in a densely populated neighborhood in Bogor, south of Jakarta, Indonesia, Intan struggled with weight gain from early childhood. By age 4, she had outgrown standard kindergarten uniforms, and by age 12, relentless bullying by classmates led her to drop out of school. Confined mostly to her home, she faced severe psychological distress alongside her physical health struggles, a personal battle shared by millions of children caught in shifting nutritional landscapes.
According to findings published in the scientific journal Nature in May by a project involving more than 1,000 scientists across 200 countries, childhood obesity prevalence is accelerating rapidly in regions least equipped to manage the financial and systemic costs. Between 2023 and 2024, obesity rates among boys rose fastest in Peru, reaching 19%, up from less than 8% in 2010. For girls, rates rose fastest in Tonga and Samoa. In Indonesia, obesity prevalence among both boys and girls increased by more than half a percentage point in 2024, marking its largest absolute single-year jump recorded.
Drivers of the Double Burden in Low- and Middle-Income Nations
An abundance of cheaper, highly processed foods—coupled with limited public awareness regarding long-term metabolic risks—has transformed dietary environments in rapidly developing urban centers. In Intan’s case, cravings for affordable, calorie-dense foods like fried soybean cake and sugary snacks collided with a sedentary lifestyle marked by prolonged indoor isolation.
Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, chair in global child health at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, who participates in the WHO-backed project, warned that the compounding health costs could reverse decades of public health progress. “All the gains that we have had in health are going to be washed away by this absolute tsunami of non-communicable disease,” Bhutta noted, highlighting risks such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic respiratory conditions like asthma.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- The Double Burden: Developing nations are experiencing concurrent spikes in childhood obesity and traditional undernutrition, creating complex clinical management challenges.
- Systemic Drivers: Increased availability of inexpensive, ultra-processed foods combined with reduced physical activity drives rapid weight gain among adolescents.
- Long-Term Complications: Pediatric obesity significantly elevates the lifetime risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and chronic endocrine disorders.
Global Epidemiological Impact and Healthcare System Strain
The acceleration of childhood obesity in emerging economies threatens to overwhelm local healthcare infrastructures that have historically prioritized infectious disease eradication and maternal-child survival. Unlike high-income countries where public health agencies have implemented targeted nutritional interventions, many developing nations lack the institutional resources required to treat chronic pediatric metabolic disorders effectively.
Researchers emphasize that the epidemiological shift is not confined to urban hubs with high baseline prevalence, such as Chile or the Bahamas. Surges are actively documented in nations where obesity was historically rare, including Bangladesh and Tanzania. Local health professionals, nutritionists, and pediatric specialists—such as Dr. Yoga Devaera at Jakarta’s Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital—face mounting caseloads as families seek advanced medical intervention after community-level management fails.
| Country / Region | Observed Trend (2023–2024 Data) | Primary Demographic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | Obesity rates rose to 19% (up from <8% in 2010) | Boys (fastest rise globally) |
| Tonga & Samoa | Accelerated prevalence growth | Girls |
| Indonesia | Overall prevalence rose by >0.5 percentage points in 2024 | Boys and Girls (largest absolute annual increase) |
Contraindications & When to Consult a Doctor
References
- World Health Organization (WHO). Global Nutrition Report and Associated Research Initiatives.
- Nature Publishing Group. Comprehensive global trends in bodily-mass index and obesity from 1990 to 2022 and projections to 2030. Published May.
- Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Global Child Health Division Reports.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
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