Global malnutrition and childhood obesity trends highlight food security concerns

Global food security and nutritional health face significant challenges, with over 200 million children suffering from malnutrition or being overweight. One in three people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, and nearly a quarter of the population lacks essential micronutrients like iron and zinc.

In Peru, World Vision reports that approximately 17 million people experience food insecurity, characterized by high rates of anemia and malnutrition. Research suggests that global hunger is a matter of distribution rather than production. In Peru, food loss is estimated at 12.8 million tons annually, or roughly 67.34 kg per inhabitant, due to processing, transport, and household waste.

In Chile, the 2025 Nutritional Map from Junaeb indicates that 51.7% of evaluated students suffer from excess malnutrition, with 24.8% being obese. In response, members of the Chilean Health Commission have called for strengthened prevention, primary care, and stricter oversight of public health policies to address rising obesity rates among children and adolescents.