Childhood obesity has now surpassed undernourishment as the most common form of malnutrition among children and adolescents globally, a new UNICEF study reveals.

 

Nearly one in ten youth aged five to nineteen are living with obesity, driven by the rise of ultra-processed foods and targeted marketing.

 

Even countries still facing undernutrition are seeing increased access to unhealthy options, a trend UNICEF describes as a systemic failure, not just individual decisions.

 

From 2000 to 2022, the number of overweight youths worldwide more than doubled, with the percentage classified as obese surging from 3% to 8%.

 

In the United States, the crisis is especially severe: 19.7% of children, or 14.7 million, are considered obese, with higher rates among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and lower-income families.

 

The financial impact is considerable, as annual medical costs related to childhood obesity have reached $1.3 billion nationwide.

 

UNICEF urges immediate government intervention to protect children, highlighting the need for stricter food regulations, taxes on harmful products, and better access to nutritious foods.

Waikapū’s Pu‘uhona Homestead celebrated a transformative moment as more than 160 new homes were blessed for Native Hawaiian families who have awaited this opportunity for decades.

 

The nearly 47-acre development features 137 turnkey houses and 24 lots, offering two to five bedrooms to meet the community’s varied needs.

 

Acting Governor Sylvia Luke proclaimed Pu‘uhona as the first completed subdivision funded by the legislature’s $600 million commitment to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

 

Director Kali Watson wished the 161 new families resilience and abundance as they begin a new chapter.

 

The project broke ground two years ago and now stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance.

 

With six more homestead projects planned, over 1,600 units are expected to follow, addressing Maui’s long-standing housing waitlist and advancing the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act’s promise.

 

For many, settling at Pu‘uhona is truly the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Kevin and Sasisopin Kobayashi, once longtime Mililani, Hawaii residents, have found a new rhythm in Sparks, Nevada, bringing their island roots to life in creative ways.

 

It all began when a neighbor dropped off a hefty supply of apples, inspiring their unexpected journey into homemade vinegar making.

 

Experimenting in their kitchen, the retired HPD sergeant and his wife perfected a variety of vinegars—lemon, apple, rice, and even plum and watermelon—infusing everyday dishes and memories of Hawaii into their new Nevada home.

 

Their vinegars do more than flavor food; they’re used for cleaning, gifts, and reminders of their heritage.

 

By sharing bottles—and tips—with neighbors, the Kobayashis add a taste of aloha to the growing diversity of Sparks, uniting old traditions with new friends.