Novo Nordisk and UNICEF Expand Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

Novo Nordisk and UNICEF have expanded their global partnership to prevent childhood overweight and obesity, with a new four-year program expected to reach more than 80 million children.

Under the expanded partnership, Novo Nordisk will provide $18 million between 2026 and 2030 to support evidence-based policies and prevention programs in seven countries: Mexico, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Egypt and Kenya.

The partnership comes as childhood obesity continues to rise globally. According to UNICEF’s 2025 Child Nutrition Report, childhood obesity has surpassed underweight among children worldwide for the first time on record. Around one in 10 school-aged children and adolescents globally are affected by overweight or obesity.

The new program will focus on helping governments create healthier environments for children and families. This includes improving access to healthier food choices and supporting healthier schools, communities, cities and healthcare services.

The partnership builds on work that Novo Nordisk and UNICEF began in 2019. Since then, the organizations have worked to increase awareness of childhood overweight and obesity and support stronger public health policies.

The expanded program will combine policy support, technical assistance, youth advocacy, peer support and social and behavioral change programs. Planned activities include growth monitoring, nutrition and physical activity counseling, family and peer support, community and healthcare-based prevention programs and youth-led advocacy.

The program will also include basic mental health screening and support, as well as efforts to encourage legislation that promotes healthier diets and better food choices.

UNICEF and Novo Nordisk said progress will be measured by the number of children reached through evidence-based prevention policies and programs. The organizations also plan to report progress and challenges as the program develops.

Childhood overweight and obesity affect around 35 million children under five and more than 391 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 worldwide. About 81% of affected children and adolescents live in low- and middle-income countries, according to the organizations.

Childhood obesity can increase the risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases later in life. It can also affect children’s wellbeing through stigma and discrimination.

The expanded partnership will use UNICEF’s Centres of Excellence model, with the main program based in Nairobi and additional support from teams in Bangkok and Panama.

The organizations said the initiative will be country-led and focused on building prevention approaches that can become part of the health, education and community systems children use every day.