About 2.85 million Malaysian children aged five to 19 were classified as obese in 2025, according to the latest World Obesity Federation annual report.
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 revealed that 866,000 children aged five to nine were obese, while 1.9 million aged 10 to 19 fell into the same category. If current trends continue, the number of overweight or obese schoolchildren in Malaysia is projected to exceed 3.1 million by 2040.
The report also highlighted the health implications of rising childhood obesity, estimating that around 305,000 children could show early signs of hypertension, and 382,000 may be at risk of cardiovascular diseases linked to obesity by 2040.
Globally, the federation predicts that 507 million children will be overweight or obese by 2040 if no intervention occurs. Southeast Asia is expected to experience one of the fastest increases, with 40 million children aged five to 19 projected to be obese by that year. The prevalence of high body mass index among children in the region could reach 101 million.
While obesity has traditionally been associated with high-income countries, the report noted a rapidly growing prevalence in low- and middle-income nations.
The federation stressed the urgent need for stronger government policies, including higher taxes on sugary drinks, restrictions on marketing such products to children, and improved school food standards.
“Governments urgently need to step up prevention and management efforts for children who are overweight and obese, and ensure that they receive the care they need,” said Johanna Ralston, chief executive of the World Obesity Federation.
