According to a report commissioned by the World Health Organisation and released by an independent panel, a shocking 41 million children under the age of five are now overweight or obese.
Issuing a warning that these rates are likely to rise, the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity urged those in power, including governments, educators, agribusinesses and food marketers, to rally together and combat the issue.
According to the panel's co-chairs, both behavioural and biological factors play a role in the staggering increase, specifically in the developing world.
Outlining the issues which need urgent attention, the panel called for "effective taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages" in addition to urging schools to adopt a proactive approach when it comes to nutritional plans and physical education,
Highlighting his stance on the matter, co-chairman, Peter Gluckman, said: "It's not the kids' fault. You can't blame a two-year-old child for being fat and lazy and eating too much."
The figure, which is sure to stun millions of parents worldwide, has seen an increase of 10 million since 1990.
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