One in Five Children Have Excess Weight Worldwide, With 507 Million Projected by 2040

Overview

• The World Obesity Federation’s 2026 Atlas estimates 20.7% of 5–19-year-olds—about 419 million—live with overweight or obesity, rising to 26.4% or 507 million by 2040.
• For the first time, children with excess weight are projected to outnumber those underweight globally, with the crossover expected between 2025 and 2027.
• In Brazil, about 16.5 million youths had elevated BMI in 2025 (nearly 40%), with experts warning growth is fastest among lower‑income groups and could reach roughly 50% by 2040.
• The Atlas links current excess weight to millions of cases of hypertension, hyperglycemia, high triglycerides and metabolic fatty liver disease, and identifies structural drivers such as widespread physical inactivity and routine sugary‑drink exposure in childhood.
• Experts urge policies including taxes on sugar‑sweetened beverages, tighter marketing limits to children, stronger school food standards, breastfeeding protection and activity guidelines, while new calls include a 30% drink tax and banning ultraprocessed foods in school canteens.