Next time, you might have to think twice before you eat or give someone chips or sugary drinks. The number of overweight children and adolescents in the country has tripled in the last two decades. This is as per the UNICEF’s latest report.
Junk foods are easily available and cheap. They make up most of the snacks for young children.
Between 2011 and 2021, sales of salty snacks grew by nearly 16 per cent every year, and sugary drinks by seven per cent every year.
According to the report, the number of overweight children and adolescents aged five to 19 increased from six per cent in 2000 to 18 per cent in 2022. And this is happening even as undernutrition and anaemia continue to affect thousands. Girls are more obese than boys.
“Obesity actually increases the risk for early onset diabetes and also increases the risk for children to develop cardiovascular diseases later in life. In the past, we used to observe these conditions in middle age, over 30 or 40 years, but now we are starting to see them even in adolescent children,” said Zivai Murira, Regional Adviser Nutrition, UNICEF Regional Office, South Asia.
It is a concern that requires a collective effort.
“When the child is very small, from below five years, they are not making the choice, the choice is being made by their parents, so we need to really advocate on what kind of food is available where they live and the food that can be given to the children and then when the children starts making their decision or when they come to school, the education system also needs to play a major role,” said Rushnan Murtaza, Representative, UNICEF Bhutan.
And the effort is on the way. A national roadmap to nourish Bhutan was launched to ensure every child grows up healthy and strong.
The health ministry is now working on a National Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2030 to address the issue of overweight and malnutrition.
“The strategies are anchored around eight priority areas, where we have inputs or interventions from the food system. Nutrition is a complex and multi-sectoral issue, and inputs are required from all sectors,” said Hari Prasad Pokhrel, Nutritionist, MoH.
The report outlines providing nutritious food in schools and beyond, micronutrient supplementation and deworming, nutrition and lifestyle education, nutrition screening, and care for children most at risk.
The Prime Minister said, “Our future is about our children. If they are undernourished or robbed of their potential before they even turn five, all our national efforts will be for nothing. Nutrition has always been a priority of the Government. Nourishing Bhutan – Framework for Action is not just another policy document, it is a bold roadmap to ensure every child grows up healthy, strong, and proud to be Bhutanese.“
Every child deserves good food, good health, and a fair chance to thrive. By nourishing children today, Bhutan is nourishing its future. Despite these challenges, Bhutan has also made progress. Stunting among children under five fell from 33.5 per cent in 2010 to 17.9 per cent in 2023.
School feeding programmes, iron and folic acid supplements, and the ‘one child one egg’ policy have also improved children’s diets.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
