Pediatricians Warn of Spike in Childhood Obesity

Pediatric health experts in Kenya are issuing urgent warnings over a growing rise in childhood obesity, citing a recent UNICEF report that shows obesity has overtaken underweight as the most common form of malnutrition among school-age children.According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, obesity rates are particularly high in urban counties such as Nairobi, Nyeri, Nyamira, and Kisii, where up to 6 percent of children under five are now overweight.
Experts link this worrying trend to a dietary shift: more children are consuming ultra-processed foods that are energy-dense but nutrient-poor.Veronica Kirogo, Director of Nutrition and Dietetics Services at the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the aggressive marketing of unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks is exacerbating the problem. Meanwhile, pediatricians warn that without early intervention, more children could develop non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions — illnesses once mostly associated with adults.
Some health researchers also point to familial influences: a nationwide study revealed that children’s risk of overweight is higher if their mothers themselves are overweight or obese, especially in urban and more affluent regions. This intergenerational dimension, combined with changing food environments, has raised fears that Kenya could face a long-term NCD crisis if the trend is left unchecked.
In response, pediatricians are calling for a multipronged policy approach. They urge the government to strengthen regulations on junk food marketing to children, tighten nutritional standards in schools, and promote healthier food environments. There’s also a push for community-level interventions: schools and parents must be supported to encourage balanced diets and physical activity, while health institutions are being asked to integrate regular obesity screening into child wellness programmes.