In the vibrant, bustling landscapes of South Asia, a silent crisis is unfolding—one that threatens the future of millions of children. The triple burden of undernourishment, obesity, and anaemia is tightening its grip, driven by unhealthy food environments that prioritize profit over well-being. Drawing from UNICEF’s 2025 report, Feeding Profit: How Food Environments are Failing Children.
Undernourishment, Obesity, and Anaemia in South Asia
South Asia is grappling with a nutritional paradox. According to UNICEF’s 2025 data, the region bears the world’s heaviest burden of undernutrition, with 1 in 3 children under five stunted, 1 in 10 suffering from wasting, and 1 in 4 born with low birth weight. Simultaneously, obesity among children aged 5–19 has skyrocketed, increasing fivefold to 70 million since 2000, while anaemia afflicts nearly half of women and adolescent girls. These aren’t just statistics—they’re a clarion call for urgent action, as malnutrition in all its forms robs children of their potential and costs economies trillions.
Why is this happening? Rapid urbanization, economic growth, and globalization have transformed South Asia’s food landscape. Traditional diets rich in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables are being edged out by ultra-processed foods—think packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food. A 2023 UNICEF survey of 7,500 adolescents across five South Asian countries revealed that 61% of school food options are packaged snacks, 55% are fast foods, and 55% are sugar-sweetened beverages. Nearly half of these teens reported seeing food brand logos at school, with over half admitting ads sway their choices. The long shelf life and wide distribution of these products mean even remote villages aren’t spared.
The Marketing Machine Behind Malnutrition
Let’s shift the lens: This isn’t just about food choices—it’s about a food system engineered for profit. Aggressive marketing by food companies, often targeting children, floods schools and digital spaces with ads for unhealthy products. UNICEF’s report highlights how these brands infiltrate school canteens and even sponsor events, embedding themselves in young minds. This isn’t accidental; it’s a calculated strategy to hook kids early, leveraging their vulnerability to shape lifelong habits. The result? A generation caught between undernourishment and obesity, with anaemia as a persistent shadow.
This corporate influence raises a critical question: Are companies profiting at the expense of children’s health? Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, puts it bluntly: “No company should profit at the cost of children’s health.” The sensitivity here lies in balancing economic interests with public health. Food giants wield significant lobbying power, often resisting regulations like marketing bans or clear labeling. Yet, without intervention, the cycle of malnutrition will deepen, with cascading effects on education, productivity, and regional stability.
How Malnutrition Threatens South Asia’s Future
The stakes are high. Malnutrition doesn’t just stunt growth—it stunts futures. Stunted children face cognitive delays, lower academic performance, and reduced earning potential, perpetuating poverty cycles. Obesity, meanwhile, sets the stage for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, burdening healthcare systems. Anaemia in adolescent girls and women increases risks during pregnancy, passing health disadvantages to the next generation. UNICEF estimates that malnutrition costs South Asian economies trillions in lost opportunities, undermining the region’s aspirations for prosperity.
Beyond economics, there’s a cultural toll. South Asia’s rich culinary heritage—think nutrient-packed dals, millets, and fresh produce—is being overshadowed by homogenized, processed diets. This shift erodes food sovereignty and disconnects communities from sustainable traditions. Moreover, the environmental impact of ultra-processed food production, from deforestation to plastic waste, exacerbates climate challenges in a region already vulnerable to floods and droughts.
Could Malnutrition Be Linked to Broader Regional Challenges?
While malnutrition itself doesn’t directly cause events like floods, the underlying food systems driving it intersect with environmental and social stressors. Industrial food production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which intensify climate events like the devastating floods in India and Pakistan. For instance, monoculture farming and packaging waste strain ecosystems, while poor nutrition weakens communities’ resilience to disasters. Malnourished populations, especially children, are less equipped to cope with displacement or disease outbreaks post-flood, creating a vicious cycle. Addressing food environments could thus have a dual benefit: healthier kids and a lighter ecological footprint.
South Asia’s Fight Against Malnutrition
Amid the gloom, South Asia offers glimmers of hope. Countries are pioneering solutions that could turn the tide:
-
Afghanistan: 2.5 million adolescent girls receive iron and folic acid supplements, paired with home-based counseling.
-
Bangladesh: Pregnant women access dietary advice and micronutrient supplements through community clinics.
-
Bhutan: The “Golden 1,000 Days” initiative has halved child stunting by prioritizing maternal and newborn nutrition.
-
India: Caps on industrial trans-fats and “Eat Right” school campaigns promote healthier diets.
-
Nepal: A comprehensive program slashed anaemia by 7% in six years, even among the poorest.
-
Pakistan: Cash transfers support pregnant women to buy nutritious food, tied to health check-ups.
-
Sri Lanka: A traffic-light labeling system empowers consumers to choose healthier options.
-
Maldives: The ‘Kaigen Hin’gamaa’ program engages youth in promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles.
These successes prove change is possible when governments, communities, and organizations align. Scaling these efforts could dismantle the triple burden of malnutrition.
Healthier Food Systems
UNICEF’s call to action is clear: South Asia must reimagine its food environments. Key steps include:
-
Scaling Health Services: Expand integrated nutrition programs, especially for girls and out-of-school children, to tackle undernutrition and anaemia.
-
Smart Cash Transfers: Pair financial aid with nutrition education to ensure families prioritize healthy foods.
-
Tougher Regulations: Ban unhealthy food marketing within 5 kilometers of schools, enforce clear labeling, and penalize corporate overreach.
-
Public Awareness: Educate communities about the dangers of ultra-processed foods and their environmental toll.
-
Youth Advocacy: Empower teens to demand policies that protect their health, turning them into change agents.
South Asia stands at a crossroads. By confronting unhealthy food environments and prioritizing children’s nutrition, the region can unlock a healthier, more prosperous future. The question isn’t just about feeding kids—it’s about nourishing their dreams, preserving cultural legacies, and building resilient societies.
