(P19-08-26) Time Trends in Prevalence of Undernutrition and Obesity From 1990 to 2022 Among Adults in South Asia: Pooled Analysis of 158 Population Studies With 5.5 Million Participants

Objectives: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course of an individual. We estimated the individual prevalence and trends of underweight and obesity since 1990 to 2022 among adults in 7 South Asian countries.

Methods: We used anthropometric data from 158 population-based studies with 5.5 million participants and estimated trends in the prevalence of different body mass index (BMI) categories, for adults (20 years and above) in 7 countries using Bayesian hierarchical models.

Results: There has been a consistent decline in the prevalence of underweight and a steady increase in obesity especially from the year 2000 to 2022in South Asian Region. The greatest increase in obesity was in Pakistan, Afganistan and Bhutan and among women, especially in younger age groups. Undernutrition is still prevalent among older age groups in most countries. Gains in stature and BMI were higher in among men and in Sri Lanka, India, and Bhutan. Increases in obesity were more pronounced in rural compared to urban areas, with the gap between urban and rural populations narrowing over time in most countries.

Conclusions: The burden of underweight has decreased, concomitantly burden of obesity increased in all 7 countries over a period of 3 decades. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious and healthy foods is needed to address the burden of underweight, while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.

Funding Sources: Imperial College London, UK