New Research Shows Rising Obesity Rates

New data from UNICEF and the Kenyan Ministry of Health reveal a steep rise in obesity, particularly among children and women, sparking growing concern among health experts. According to UNICEF’s Feeding Profit report, obesity has overtaken underweight for the first time among school-age children and adolescents globally—and Kenya is fully part of this trend.
In Kenya, the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) shows that 3% of children under five are already overweight, while in the 15–19 age group, 13% of girls are overweight or obese compared to 2% of boys. Health officials say the rise is being driven by a shift toward ultra-processed, energy‑dense foods, aggressive food marketing, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
Women of reproductive age are also disproportionately affected: nearly 45% of women aged 20–49 are either overweight or obese, according to Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni. Experts warn that this trend has serious health and economic consequences, as obesity significantly increases the risk of non‑communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
A modelling study published earlier in 2025 estimates that Kenya could face a staggering Sh 97.4 billion (approx. US$ 755 million) in healthcare costs over the next two decades if the rise in obesity continues unchecked. Public health advocates are calling for policy action—including sugar taxes, regulation of ultra-processed foods, and stronger nutrition education—to help reverse the trend and protect future generations.