Summary Knowledge regarding nutrition transition in Nepal remains limited. This systematic review examined the shifts in undernutrition and overnutrition in Nepal during the past two decades. We searched PubMed for studies and reports published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2018. Publications with a sample size greater than or equal to 500 that reported prevalence of nutritional status were included. Six large national reports and 36 studies met study inclusion criteria and were included. Overall, available nationally representative data remained limited. The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2001 to 2016 showed that underweight prevalence decreased from 26.7% to 17.2% and prevalence of overweight/obesity increased from 6.5% to 22.1% among women of reproductive age (15‐49 years). In preschool children, prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight decreased from 57.2% to 35.8%, 11.2% to 9.7%, and 42.7% to 27.0%, respectively. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was low among children and was higher in higher socio‐economic status (SES) groups. The overweight‐obesity/underweight ratios indicate a shift from undernutrition to overnutrition problem; it was more evident in urban areas and higher SES groups. In conclusion, Nepal is experiencing a nutrition transition. More research is warranted to address this shift, and well‐tailored public health efforts need to combat the double burden of overweight/obesity and undernutrition.

Disease burden and lifestyle patterns have changed rapidly worldwide, especially in some Asian countries over the past 2 decades. However, cross-country comparative research is limited. This study investigated the nutritional status of preschool children and childbearing women in China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan selected based on their socioeconomic status, population size, and urbanization. Nationally representative data were used from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance Report, India National Family Health Survey, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, the WHO repository, and the World Bank. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity and some ratios were compared. These rates varied across these 4 countries and were associated with their economic development levels. China's economic status and prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity (11.5%) were highest; India's economic status was higher than that of Nepal and Pakistan, but had higher rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight (38.4%, 21.0%, and 35.7%, respectively) in preschool children. Pakistan had the highest prevalence of overweight/obesity among childbearing women (52.4% in all, 63.0% in urban areas). Nepal had the lowest economic status and overweight/obesity rate in preschool children (1.2%). In general, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in urban than in rural areas, except among childbearing women in China. Nutritional status and health burden are heavily influenced by economic development. The double burden of malnutrition poses prioritization challenges for policymakers and public health efforts. Prevention of obesity is urgently needed, at least in higher-income countries in Asia.

Introduction Data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) are limited in developing countries. The study goal was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with HBV infection in Peru, highlighting its relationship with consistent condom use. Methods Data from two different surveys performed in 28 midsized Peruvian cities were used. Participants aged 18e29 years were selected using a multistage cluster sampling. Information was collected through a validated two-part questionnaire. The first part (face-to-face) concerned demographic data, while the second part (self-administered using handheld computers) concerned sexual behaviour. Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) was tested in 7000 blood samples. Prevalences and associations were adjusted for sample strata, primary sampling units and population weights. Results Anti-HBc prevalence was 5.0% (95% CI 4.1% to 5.9%), with the highest prevalence among jungle cities: 16.3% (95% CI 13.8% to 19.1%). Anti-HBc positivity was associated with geographic region (highlands OR¼2.05; 95% CI 1.28 to 3.27, and jungle OR¼4.86; 95% CI 3.05 to 7.74; compared to coastal region); and age at sexual debut (OR¼0.90; 95% CI 0.85 to 0.97). Consistent condom use was associated with lower prevalence (OR¼0.34; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.79) after adjusting for sex, geographic region, education level, lifetime number of sex partners, and age at sexual debut. Conclusion Residence in highlands or jungle cities is associated with higher anti-HBc prevalences, whereas increasing age at sexual debut was associated with lower prevalences. Consistent condom use was associated with decreased risk of anti-HBc. These findings emphasise the need of vaccination especially in jungle population, and imply that condom use promotion might be a strategy to prevent HBV infection.