CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN URBAN AND RURAL INDIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSES OF PREVALENCE STUDIES

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION affecting both developed and developing nations. Childhood obesity has emerged as one of the most Historically, obesity was largely seen as a problem pressing global public health issues of the 21st of high-income countries, but recent data suggest century. Over the last few decades, the prevalence that the phenomenon is increasingly becoming a of childhood obesity has risen at an alarming rate, https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 16 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 concern for low- and middle-income countries In addition to lifestyle factors, several other (LMICs) as well. This global rise in childhood contributors to childhood obesity have been obesity has profound implications not only for the identified, including genetic, psychological, and health and well-being of children but also for the socio-environmental factors. While genetics may future economic and healthcare burdens on predispose certain individuals to obesity, it is the societies. The World Health Organization (WHO) interaction with environmental and lifestyle reported that by 2019, there were over 38 million factors that largely determines outcomes. overweight children under the age of five, and in Psychological factors, such as stress, depression, 2016, more than 340 million children and and anxiety, have also been linked to childhood adolescents aged 5-19 were classified as obesity, with some children turning to food as a overweight or obese (1). According to the World coping mechanism. Socio-environmental factors, Obesity Federation, childhood overweight and including parental influence, socioeconomic status, obesity rates increased by more than double in and access to health education, also play a crucial LMICs from approximately 8.5% in 1980 to over role. For instance, children from wealthier families 20% by 2020 (2). A significant amount of change or those attending private schools may have better has taken place over a relatively short period of access to unhealthy foods, such as sugary snacks time, which is particularly concerning. There were and fast food, contributing to higher rates of only 4% of overweight children in the 1970s. obesity (6). According to the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, The health implications of childhood obesity are that figure rose to over 18% by 2016 (3). These extensive and often persist into adulthood. figures reflect a rapid and unprecedented increase Children who are obese are at a higher risk of in the number of overweight and obese children, developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) presenting a formidable public health challenge. such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, The escalation of childhood obesity worldwide has and various musculoskeletal disorders (6). These not occurred in isolation. A combination of dietary conditions, once thought to be primarily adult shifts, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental concerns, are now being diagnosed at increasingly changes has contributed to this phenomenon. younger ages. Childhood obesity is also associated Globally, there has been a shift in diets toward with a range of psychosocial issues, including low energy-dense foods that are high in fats, sugars, self-esteem, depression, and social isolation (7). and salt but low in essential nutrients like vitamins Obese children may face discrimination or bullying and minerals (4). These dietary changes are from their peers, further exacerbating coupled with a decline in physical activity due to psychological distress and potentially leading to the increasingly sedentary nature of work, leisure academic underachievement. As these children activities, and transportation (5). Urbanization has grow into adults, they often carry these health and played a significant role in exacerbating these psychological challenges with them, increasing issues, as cities tend to promote fewer active their risk of premature death and disability. lifestyles and provide easier access to unhealthy Economically, the rise in childhood obesity places food options. Children in urban settings are more a significant burden on healthcare systems likely to engage in sedentary activities such as worldwide. The direct medical costs associated watching television, playing video games, or using with treating obesity-related conditions are smartphones for extended periods, all of which substantial, and the loss of productivity due to ill contribute to the rising rates of obesity (5). https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 17 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 health further compounds this burden (8). In many dense, nutrient-poor foods and engage in countries, healthcare systems are already sedentary behaviours, while in rural areas, stretched thin, and the growing number of obese traditional diets and more physically demand