WHO urges healthy diets and physical activity to tackle childhood obesity

Wednesday 07 - 14:06

By: Azzat Manal

WHO urges healthy diets and physical activity to tackle childhood obesity

The World Health Organization is calling for a stronger focus on healthy eating, physical activity and behavioral support in the treatment of obesity among children and adolescents, as it releases its first global guideline specifically addressing the condition in younger populations.

The WHO estimates that around 170 million children and adolescents aged between 5 and 19 were living with obesity in 2024. The prevalence has increased significantly over recent decades, rising from about 2% in 1990 to roughly 8% today, highlighting the growing scale of the public health challenge.

The new guidance recommends structured and comprehensive care for children and adolescents affected by obesity. Such programs should combine nutritional counseling, regular physical activity and behavioral interventions designed to support sustainable lifestyle changes rather than focusing exclusively on weight reduction.

The organization also recognizes that digital interventions can play a role in supporting healthier habits, provided they are appropriately supervised by parents or other responsible adults. The approach is intended to adapt treatment to the age, needs and circumstances of each child.

For children under the age of 10, the WHO does not recommend the routine use of weight-loss medicines, bariatric surgery or weight-management devices. Instead, the organization places greater emphasis on family support, healthy dietary patterns, physical activity and long-term behavioral changes.

For adolescents aged 10 to 19, approved medications may be considered in specific circumstances when supervised programs combining nutrition, exercise and behavioral support fail to produce the desired results. Bariatric surgery may also be considered for a limited group of adolescents with severe obesity and under carefully defined medical conditions.

The WHO says treatment should also address the psychological and social consequences that can accompany childhood obesity. Health professionals are encouraged to identify anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other emotional difficulties at an early stage, while taking into account the effects of bullying, discrimination and weight-related stigma.

The organization stresses that effective care should not be measured solely by changes on the scale. Improving overall health, physical functioning, quality of life and the ability to participate in everyday activities should also be central goals of treatment.

The WHO is also calling for greater involvement from families and healthcare professionals, with regular and long-term follow-up. Because childhood obesity can persist into adulthood and increase the risk of several chronic conditions, early intervention can form part of a broader strategy to improve health over the course of a person’s life.

At the same time, the organization argues that medical treatment alone cannot reverse the global rise in obesity. Governments are being urged to create environments that make healthier choices more accessible, including through policies affecting food systems, education, transportation, urban planning and social protection.

The recommendations reflect a broader shift toward treating childhood obesity as a complex health issue influenced not only by individual behavior but also by family circumstances, the availability of nutritious food, opportunities for physical activity and wider social conditions. The WHO says coordinated action across these areas will be necessary to address the growing burden among children and adolescents.