Prevalence, incidence, and trends of childhood overweight/obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Background The growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NDC), particularly in low-and middle-income countries, poses a significant threat to global health. Obesity and overweight constitute major risk factors of NCDs such as heart diseases, diabetes, and kidney disease, and as a result, contribute significantly to the development of chronic morbidities, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of premature death. This study described evidence on the prevalence, incidence, and trends of childhood overweight and obesity in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review employing the Arksey and O’Malley framework, Levac et al. recommendations, and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. To obtain relevant published articles for this review, we performed a comprehensive keywords search in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CINAHL via EBSCOhost platform for studies published between 2009 and June 2019. Guided by the eligibility criteria, title and abstracts, as well as the full-text articles were independently screened in parallel by two investigators. All relevant data were independently extracted by two investigators using a piloted form designed in Microsoft and thematic analysis conducted. Results Of the 81 included studies obtained from 250,148 potentially eligible articles, the majority (25) conducted in South Africa followed by 18 in Nigeria. Six studies were conducted in Ethiopia (6), Tanzania (5), Kenya (4), Cameroon (4), Ghana (3), Uganda (2), Mozambique (2), and Sudan (2). One study each was conducted in Botswana, Gambia, Lesotho, Mauritius, Seychelles, Togo, and Zimbabwe. The remaining three articles were multi-country studies. Most (81.5%) of the included studies were cross-sectional surveys and the majority (79) focused on both male and female participants. The majority (80/81) of the included studies reported on the prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity, 8 on the trends of childhood overweight/obesity, and one presented evidence on the incidence of childhood overweight and obesity in SSA. Conclusion This review demonstrates limited studies on childhood overweight/obesity in most SSA countries although the included studies suggest an increasing burden. Considering the consequences of childhood obesity, there is a need for more primary researches to inform policies decision and implementation to halt the rise of childhood obesity/overweight in SSA.

Association between Objectively Determined Physical Activity Levels and Body Composition in 6–8-Year-Old Children from a Black South African Population: BC–IT Study

“…In recent regional studies in South African children and adolescents, a high prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity were reported [ 4 , 5 ]. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases over time during childhood and is more prevalent in girls compared to boys [ 6 , 7 ]. If overweight and obesity are not identified early in life and preventative measures are not put in place, physical inactivity and excess adiposity in childhood can have long-lasting negative health effects [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases over time during childhood and is more prevalent in girls compared to boys [ 6 , 7 ]. If overweight and obesity are not identified early in life and preventative measures are not put in place, physical inactivity and excess adiposity in childhood can have long-lasting negative health effects [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality later in life—it accounts for as much as 20% of cardiovascular deaths in midlife [ 11 ].…”

The Food and Health Environment in Junior Secondary Schools in Urban Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Study of Administrators, Food Vendors and Early Adolescents

“…Early adolescence is marked by significant physical and cognitive growth with broad implications for health across the life course [ 1 ]. A significant percentage of early adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the double burden of malnutrition with high levels of undernutrition (underweight, stunting and micronutrient deficiencies) as well as overweight and anemia [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Considering that most children and adolescents are at least for some years in school, a combination of interventions at the school level may positively impact their habits, attitudes and preferences with long-term health benefits for adolescents as they age into adulthood [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Obesity and Its Relationship With Cancer: Part I Obesity

“…Obesity is also increasing in the younger population (Onywera, 2010;www.who.int;UNICEF, 2020;Danquah et al, 2020). Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016 while 39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020 (www.who.int).…”

“…In the US, the prevalence of obesity was 19.3% for children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in the years 2017-2018, and 13.4% among 2-to 5-year-olds (CDC, 2021). According to UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank, Southern Africa has the highest prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years (14.6%), followed by Central Asia (11.6%) and Northern Africa (11.0%) (Danquah et al, 2020). Cancer risk at an older age may be linked to excess body weight in late adolescence and early adulthood (Genkinger et al, 2015;Park et al, 2018;Colditz & Peterson, 2018) Prevention of early life obesity can thus also help reduce future cancer.…”