(185) Prevalence of Childhood and Adolescent Overweight/Obesity in South Asian Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sunday, August 28, 2022

8:00 AM – 1:45 PM CEST

Location: Hall C

Publication Number: 1230

Presenting Author(s)

Dipika Bansal, MBBS, MD, DM
– Assistant Professor, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab, India

Co-Author(s)

Nagita Devi
– National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
Karamsetty D. Babu
– NIPER, SAS Nagar, Punjab, India
Mohammmed Safeer
– PhD scholar, NIPER Mohali, SAS Nagar, Punjab, India

Background: In recent decades, the global prevalence of overweight/obesity has increased in children and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of overweight/obese children reside in developing nations.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents in South Asia

Methods: We systematically searched on electronic databases like PubMed and Embase from inception till December 2021. Studies involving individuals aged less than 19 years, regardless of gender, were included. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was considered as primary outcomes. In RStudio, data was analysed using random-effects models to give point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Hundred studies included with participants (N=400,394) at the mean age (SD) of 12.5 (2.3) years were evaluated to estimate the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. The pooled prevalence estimates of overweight in south Asian countries according to WHO, IOTF (International Obesity task force), IAP (Indian association Of Paediatrics’) & CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) classification was 10.5 % (95% CI: 0.08- 0.11; NOS: 16), 9.3 % (95% CI: 0.07- 0.13; NOS: 41), 9.3 % (95% CI: 0.14- 0.18; NOS: 18), 9.4 % (95% CI: 0.07- 0.11; NOS: 23) respectively and the pooled prevalence estimate of obesity according to WHO, IOTF, IAP and CDC was 6.5 % (95% CI: 0.02- 0.21; NOS: 37), 3.0 % (95% CI: 0.02- 0.4; NOS: 16), 8.4 % (95% CI: 0.07- 0.09; NOS: 18), 5.1 % (95% CI: 0.02- 0.09; NOS: 20) respectively.

Conclusions: Based on the current research, overweight/obesity is on the rise in the early life age group, necessitating the adoption of additional measures or prevention programs in South Asian countries