Dual Burden of Malnutrition Among Adolescents With Hunger Aged 12–15 Years in 41 Countries: Findings From the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

Abstract

Background: Hunger is a pandemic among adolescents, resulting in both underweight and obesity, and posing a substantial health challenge.Objective: To estimate the dual burden of malnutrition among adolescents with hunger.Design: Data were from the Global school-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). In total, data from 26,986 adolescents with hunger across 5 regions and 41 countries between 2010 and 2015 were analyzed in this study. Weighted prevalence and mean estimates of underweight, overweight, and obesity were calculated by gender, age, and country. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for regional and country-level income.Results: The total prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among young adolescents with hunger was 6.2% (95% CI: 4.4–8.0%), 25.1% (95% CI: 20.3–29.9%) and 8.9% (95% CI: 6.5–11.3%), respectively. Southeast Asia had the highest prevalence of underweight (17.2%; 95% CI: 7.3–27.0%). America had the highest regional prevalence of obesity (11.1%; 95% CI: 7.2–15.1%) and overweight (28.9%; 95% CI: 21.9–35.9%). Low income countries had relatively high prevalence of underweight (11.5%; 95% CI: 3.2–19.9%). High income countries had the highest prevalence of obesity (17.4%; 95% CI: 14.9–19.9%) and overweight (38.7%; 95% CI: 32.0–45.4%). The co-existence of underweight and overweight among adolescents with hunger was highest in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and in upper-middle and high-income countries.Conclusions: There is a dual burden of underweight and obesity among adolescents with hunger aged 12–15 years, which differs between geographical regions. The integration of targeted interventions and policies is required to simultaneously address both underweight and increasing rates of obesity among adolescents with hunger in different regions.

Coexistence of obesity and hunger in young adolescents: Evidence from the Global School‐based Student Health Survey

“…We also found high obesity prevalence (i.e., 7.4%) among the adolescents, but with substantial discrepancies across countriesconsistent with the results of other studies. 16,21 In contrast to our previous results, 24 our current results indicated that young adolescents experiencing hunger had a relatively high obesity prevalence (8.9%).…”

“…We also found high obesity prevalence (i.e., 7.4%) among the adolescents, but with substantial discrepancies across countries—consistent with the results of other studies 16,21 . In contrast to our previous results, 24 our current results indicated that young adolescents experiencing hunger had a relatively high obesity prevalence (8.9%). Taken together, these results suggest that both hunger and obesity have become a pandemic among young adolescents and these are serious public health issues globally.…”

“…In our previous study, we estimated the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among adolescents who experienced hunger, and our findings indicated the dual burden of underweight and obesity among this population. 24 In the current study, we confirmed that hunger and obesity coexist in young adolescents globally; however, this relationship was noted to be complex and vary among countries or regions. In conclusion, young adolescents exposed to home food inadequacy-which indicates an obesogenic food environment-may have an increased obesity risk.…”

“…16,22,23 Hunger and obesity may coexist within the same population. In our previous study, we found a dual burden of underweight and obesity in young adolescents experiencing hunger, 24 posing a considerable, complex challenge to adolescent health. A systematic review and meta-analysis on clinical trials revealed that reducing hunger and enhancing satiety interventions may improve body weight management in the context of obesity.…”

Clustering of lifestyle risk factors in relation to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adolescents: a cross-national study of 45 low- and middle-income countries

“…We interestingly found that clustering of frequent soft drink and fast-food consumption, rather than other lifestyle risk clusters, was strongest associated with suicidal attempts in LMICs. It is remarkable that LMICs have greater availability of nutrient-poor and energy-dense foods, the resultant burden of adolescent malnutrition may increase the risk of suicidality in these countries [54].…”