WHO Urges Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Address Childhood Obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first global guidelines addressing obesity in children and adolescents, emphasising sustainable lifestyle changes and professional support rather than relying primarily on weight-loss medication.

The guidance comes as childhood overweight and obesity continue to pose a significant global health challenge. WHO estimates that approximately 400 million people aged five to 19 were living with overweight in 2024, including around 170 million with obesity.

The organisation recommends approaches that combine healthier diets, regular physical activity and behavioural support, including counselling where appropriate.

Healthy habits should start early

For children, healthy routines are shaped by families, schools and the communities where they live. Access to nutritious food, safe places to play, adequate sleep and opportunities for movement can all support long-term well-being.

WHO’s guidance highlights the importance of involving caregivers in efforts to improve children’s health. Rather than focusing on appearance or weight-based stigma, families and schools can encourage practical habits that support physical and emotional development.

Examples include offering balanced meals, making water readily available, limiting sedentary time and encouraging age-appropriate physical activity.

Medication is not the default solution for younger children

WHO says evidence on the long-term safety and effectiveness of weight-loss medicines in children remains limited.

For children under 10, the organisation recommends lifestyle and behavioural interventions rather than obesity medication or surgery. For adolescents aged 10 to 19 with obesity, medication may be considered in selected circumstances after supervised lifestyle interventions have not succeeded, with appropriate clinical oversight.

The guidance also reserves bariatric surgery for selected adolescents with severe obesity who meet relevant criteria and have not responded to other interventions.

Treatment decisions should be made with qualified healthcare professionals, taking account of the child’s individual needs and overall health.

What this means for parents and schools

The guidelines reinforce the importance of supportive environments in preventing and managing childhood obesity. Parents and caregivers can help by building consistent routines, while schools and local authorities can contribute through nutritious food options, physical education and safe recreational spaces.

For Kenya and other countries facing changing diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the message is that prevention requires coordinated action not simply placing responsibility on individual children.