Association between Obesity and COVID-19 Mortality in Peru: An Ecological Study

There is a gap in the epidemiological data on obesity and COVID-19 mortality in low and middle-income countries worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Peru. In this ecological study, we explored the association between body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and the COVID-19 mortality rates in 25 Peruvian regions, adjusted for confounding factors (mean age in the region, mean income, gender balance and number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds) using multiple linear regression. We retrieved secondary region-level data on the BMI average and prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in individuals aged ≥ 15 years old, from the Peruvian National Demographics and Health Survey (ENDES 2020). COVID-19 death statistics were obtained from the National System of Deaths (SINADEF) from the Peruvian Ministry of Health and were accurate as of 3 June 2021. COVID-19 mortality rates (per 100,000 habitants) were calculated among those aged ≥ 15 years old. During the study period, a total of 190,046 COVID-19 deaths were registered in individuals aged ≥ 15 years in 25 Peruvian regions. There was association between the BMI (r = 0.74; p = 0.00001) and obesity (r = 0.76; p = 0.00001), and the COVID-19 mortality rate. Adjusted for confounding factors, only the prevalence rate of obesity was associated with COVID-19 mortality rate (β = 0.585; p = 0.033). These findings suggest that as obesity prevalence increases, the COVID-19 mortality rates increase in the Peruvian population ≥ 15 years. These findings can help to elucidate the high COVID-19 mortality rates in Peru.

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Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages as a policy to reduce overweight and obesity in countries of different income classifications: a systematic review

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021002901 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-27

Author(s):

Alexander Itria ◽

Stéfani S. Borges ◽

Ana Elisa M. Rinaldi ◽

Luciana Bertoldi Nucci ◽

Carla Cristina Enes

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Price Change ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Middle Income ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes on overweight and obesity prevalence in countries of different income classifications. Design: Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO number CRD42020161612). Five databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS (via Virtual Health Library) and MEDLINE (via PubMed), and Web of Science were searched, from January 2009 up to December 2019. Articles that reported changes in purchases, sales, intake, body weight, BMI, overweight and/or obesity prevalence due to a tax on, or price change in SSBs were included. Setting: Studies conducted in countries of different income classifications. Participants: The search yielded 8,349 articles of which twenty-one met inclusion criteria. Results: Among the 16 studies selected, only 2 did not show that consumption, sales and purchase decreased as the price of SSBs increased. In 8 of the 13 studies selected, a positive effect of an SSB tax on decreasing overweight and obesity prevalence was expected. It is estimated that a 20% taxation on SSBs would result in a greater decrease in the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to a 10% rate. Studies with no significant effect of taxing on sales, purchases, consumption and prevalence of obesity were from high-income countries, while significant effects of taxing on reducing purchase, consumption and/or obesity prevalence were found in studies from upper-middle and middle-income countries. Conclusion: A high SSB tax might be an effective fiscal policy to decrease purchase and consumption of SSBs and reduce overweight/obesity prevalence, especially if the tax were specific for beverage volume.

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Global Trends in Child Obesity: Are Figures Converging?

10.20944/preprints202011.0638.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

María A. González-Álvarez ◽

Angelina Lázaro-Alquézar ◽

María Blanca Simón-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Adult Population ◽

International Comparisons ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Middle Income ◽

Global Trends ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Economic Transitions

Infant obesity has become one of the most serious global health challenges of our time. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity has rapidly increased worldwide during the last two decades, especially in some developing countries where obesity is reaching levels on a par with some industrialized countries, or even higher. This fast growth has occurred especially in countries in the midst of rapid social-economic transitions. Most international comparisons focus on the adult population while analyses focusing on the child population are more limited. Using the methodology developed by Phillips and Sul [1], this paper studies the worldwide evolution of infant body mass index (BMI), overweight and obesity prevalence for a large sample of countries during the period 1975-2016. Our results indicate that the figures for BMI or the prevalence of obesity in different countries do not converge, while the opposite is the case for overweight prevalence in children. Furthermore, there is a non-linear relationship between obesity and income or human capital, indicating that low and middle-income countries require a strong initiative for health policies targeting obesity prevention.

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Global Trends in Child Obesity: Are Figures Converging?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17249252 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (24) ◽

pp. 9252

Author(s):

María A. González-Álvarez ◽

Angelina Lázaro-Alquézar ◽

María Blanca Simón-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Adult Population ◽

International Comparisons ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Middle Income ◽

Global Trends ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Economic Transitions

Childhood obesity has become one of the most serious global health challenges of our time. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity has rapidly increased worldwide during the last two decades, especially in some developing countries where obesity is reaching levels on a par with some industrialized countries, or even higher. This fast growth has occurred especially in countries in the midst of rapid social-economic transitions. Most international comparisons focus on the adult population while analyses focusing on the child population are more limited. Using the methodology developed by Phillips and Sul, this paper studies the worldwide evolution of children’s body mass index (BMI), overweight and obesity prevalence for a large sample of countries during the period 1975–2016. Our results indicate that the figures for BMI or the prevalence of obesity in different countries do not converge, while the opposite is the case for overweight prevalence in children. Furthermore, there is a non-linear relationship between obesity and income or human capital, indicating that low and middle-income countries require a strong initiative for health policies targeting obesity prevention.

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Country Level Sales of Ultra-Processed Foods and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Predict Higher BMI and Increased Prevalence of Overweight in Adult and Youth Populations

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa053_030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 825-825 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jacob Eaton

Keyword(s):

Overweight And Obesity ◽

High Income ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Country Level ◽

Bmi Trajectories

Abstract Objectives Ultra-processed foods (UPF) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) comprise over 50% of energy intake in most upper-middle and high-income contexts. Higher intake of UPF and SSB is associated with an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity at the individual level, but few studies have examined the association between UPF, SSB, and BMI at the country level. The objective of this study was to evaluate global trends in UPF and SSB sales and associations with trajectories of change in BMI and prevalence of overweight, and obesity. Methods Data on UPF and SSB sales was collected from EuroMonitor International; BMI, overweight, and obesity prevalence from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration; and potential confounders from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory. Longitudinal multi-level models were used to estimate the relationship between country-level UPF/SSB sales and weight trajectories for adults and children and adolescents less than 19 years, for both general population and sex disaggregated. Results UPF sales grew 2.7% between 2005 and 2018. Sales were highest in high income contexts of North America (139.3 kg/person/year) and Europe (117.3 kg/p/y) but grew most rapidly in low and lower-middle income countries, particularly South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. SSB sales grew 1.9% but ranged from −22.4% in North America (120.3 liters/person/year in 2018) to 144.7% in South Asia (7.3 liters/p/year). Both UPF and SSB were significant and positive predictors of BMI; 1 SD increases in sales predicted mean population BMI increases between 0.2 kg/m² and 0.5 kg/m². Neither UPF nor SSB predicted obesity, but both were significantly associated with overweight prevalence trajectories for the adult general population and for males. Associations remained controlling for both country calorie supply and physical inactivity prevalence. In children and adolescents (5–19 years), SSBs significantly predicted BMI levels and obesity prevalence, while only UPF was associated with overweight. Conclusions UPF and SSB sales have a significant impact on country-level BMI trajectories. At current rates, upper-middle income countries will soon equal high-income contexts in UPF/SSB consumption and BMI trajectories. Findings suggest the need for global level action to limit UPF and SSB consumption. Funding Sources No funding sources declared.

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Overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Mali: what are the determinants?

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihaa094 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽

Ebenezer Agbaglo ◽

Albert Apotele Nyaaba

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Wealth Status ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Region Of Residence ◽

Public Health Promotion

Abstract Background Existing evidence suggests that there has been a surge of overweight and obesity in low- and middle-income countries around the world. In this study we investigated the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among women in Mali. Methods We conducted the study among 5198 women using the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey data. We used binary logistic regression for the analysis and pegged statistical significance at p<0.05. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26.9%. The likelihood of overweight and obesity was high among women 40–44 y of age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 5.94 [confidence interval {CI} 4.10 to 8.60]), those who were widowed/divorced/separated (AOR 1.59 [CI 1.04 to 2.43]), those with secondary education (AOR 1.41 [CI 1.13 to 1.75]), richest women (AOR 3.61 [CI 2.63 to 4.95]), those who watched television at least once a week (AOR 1.28 [CI 1.07 to 1.52]) and those who lived in the Kidal region (AOR 10.71 [CI 7.05 to 16.25]). Conversely, the likelihood of overweight and obesity was low among women who belonged to other religions compared with Muslims (AOR 0.63 [CI 0.43 to 0.92]). Conclusions This study found a predominance of overweight and obesity among women in Mali. The study showed that age, marital status, education, religion, region of residence, wealth status and frequency of watching television are associated with overweight and obesity among women in Mali. It is therefore critical for public health promotion programs in Mali to sensitize people to the negative effects associated with overweight and obesity. This implies that policies aimed at controlling overweight and obesity in Mali must take these factors into consideration.

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Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action

Children ◽

10.3390/children8020103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Tonia Vassilakou

Keyword(s):

Burden Of Disease ◽

Personal Development ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Poor Health ◽

Human Potential ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Middle Income ◽

Childhood Malnutrition ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Major Impediment

Childhood malnutrition of every form, including undernutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight), micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity, consists a triple burden of disease, especially for low- and middle-income countries, and is one of the leading causes of poor health and a major impediment to personal development and achievement of full human potential worldwide [...]

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Obesities: A New Peer-Reviewed Open-Access Interdisciplinary Journal Fostering Research on Multifactorial Obesity and Associated Cardiometabolic Disorders

Obesities ◽

10.3390/obesities1010002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 26-28

Author(s):

Bruno Guigas

Keyword(s):

Open Access ◽

Industrialized Countries ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

The Past ◽

Urban Transition ◽

Cardiometabolic Disorders ◽

Interdisciplinary Journal ◽

Low And Middle Income

Obesity prevalence has increased continuously over the past 50 years, a dramatic worldwide expansion not only limited to industrialized countries but also observed in a large number of low- and middle-income countries experiencing rapid rural–urban transition [...]

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Differences in infant and child mortality before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: a large population-based ecological study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022737 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. e022737 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ai Tashiro ◽

Kayako Sakisaka ◽

Etsuji Okamoto ◽

Honami Yoshida

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Child Mortality ◽

Coastal Zone ◽

Ecological Study ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Population Based ◽

North Eastern ◽

Infant And Child Mortality ◽

Before And After

ObjectivesTo examine associations between access to medical care, geological data, and infant and child mortality in the area of North-Eastern Japan that was impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (GEJET) in 2011.DesignA population-based ecological study using publicly available data.SettingTwenty secondary medical areas (SMAs) in the disaster-affected zones in the north-eastern prefectures of Japan (Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi). Participants: Children younger than 10 years who died in the 20 SMAs between 2008 and 2014 (n=1 748). Primary and secondary outcome measures: Multiple regression analysis for infant and child mortality rate. The mean values were applied for infant and child mortality rates and other factors before GEJET (2008–2010) and after GEJET (2012–2014).ResultsBetween 2008 and 2014, the most common cause of death among children younger than 10 years was accidents. The mortality rate per 100 000 persons was 39.1±41.2 before 2011, 226.7±43.4 in 2011 and 31.4±39.1 after 2011. Regression analysis revealed that the mortality rate was positively associated with low age in each period, while the coastal zone was negatively associated with fewer disaster base hospitals in 2011. By contrast, the number of obstetrics and gynaecology centres (β=−189.9, p=0.02) and public health nurses (β=−1.7, p=0.01) was negatively associated with mortality rate per person in 2011.ConclusionsIn 2011, the mortality rate among children younger than 10 years was 6.4 times higher than that before and after 2011. Residence in a coastal zone was significantly associated with higher child mortality rates.

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