Childhood obesity on the rise during COVID-19: A request for global leaders to change the trajectory

Childhood obesity has been rising in all world regions; 2019 estimates were that 158 million children aged 5 to 19 years are living with obesity, of whom many live in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there has been limited to no progress to halt the rise in more than 20 years, and this number is projected to increase to 254 million by 2030. NCD Child, a global multi-stakeholder coalition focused on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in children, is concerned with the rising rates of obesity during childhood and its consequences. 

This perspective will outline the related evidence and showcase the need for greater attention to the adverse effects of pandemic mitigation policies, as well as focus on the interplay between COVID-19 and children with obesity and suggest policy changes.