JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Africa recorded a significant increase in overweight and obesity between 2016 and 2024, with junk food being one of the contributing factors, said a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) South Africa official on Thursday.

UNICEF released a report titled "Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children," citing data from 190 countries. According to the report, overweight and obesity in children under five years increased from 13 to 23 percent from 2016 to 2024 in South Africa.

"Childhood overweight and obesity represent a significant public health challenge in South Africa," Gilbert Tshitaudzi, nutrition manager at UNICEF South Africa, said in the report.

According to the report, the share of South African children aged 5 to 19 who are overweight rose from 9 percent in 2000 to 21 percent in 2022. Over the same period, the prevalence of obesity in this age group climbed from 2 percent to 7 percent. Meanwhile, the proportion of children classified as underweight fell from 12 percent to 8 percent.

"Nutritious and affordable food must, as a matter of urgency, be available to every child to support their growth and development," Tshitaudzi said.

The report noted that children are consuming ultra-processed foods instead of fruits, vegetables, and protein at a time when nutrition plays a crucial role in children's growth, cognitive development, and mental health.

UNICEF warned that obesity could lead to a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and high blood pressure, and diseases later in life, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

The UN agency recommended that countries implement policies that improve food labelling, food marketing restrictions, and food taxes and subsidies. It recommended a ban on the sale of ultra-processed and junk foods in schools. ■