Nearly two in five Argentinean teens are overweight, according to UNICEF – Telam

Nearly two out of five teens are overweight in Argentina, a country where the prevalence of malnutrition, overweight and obesity is highest in Latin America, according to the Situation Report. children in the world published today by UNICEF.

The report also states that 20% of children under 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean have growth disorders due to poor nutrition that can begin even before the age of six months.

According to the report, Argentina is the country of the region where the prevalence of these diseases is highest, where nearly 2 in 5 adolescents are overweight.

"Overweight in children can lead to early onset of type 2 diabetes, stigma and depression, and is a significant risk factor for the development of obesity at age adult, with serious consequences for health and the economy, "said Unicef.

The report also states that in 2018, "4.8 million children under 5 years of age were stunted, 0.7 million malnourished and 4 million overweight, including children. ;obesity".

These trends reflect poor growth and expose children to the risk of infection, diminish their learning abilities and, in some cases, die.

Of the 18 countries in the region for which data are available, Guatemala is the most "worrying" case with 1 in 2 children "children under 5 who are not growing up well".