Obesity in Southeast Asia: An Emerging Health Concern

Background: Obesity is a growing global health concern, with developing countries such as Bangladesh increasingly facing the dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition. The rise in obesity in Bangladesh, particularly in urban areas, is closely linked to rapid urbanization, economic development, and lifestyle changes, leading to increased consumption of processed, calorie-dense foods and reduced physical activity. This literature review examines the prevalence, drivers, health implications, and policy responses to obesity in Bangladesh within the broader context of global and Southeast Asian trends. Objective: The objective of this review is to analyze the rising concern of obesity in Bangladesh, explore its health and socioeconomic implications, and assess the effectiveness of current interventions and policy responses. The review also highlights gaps in the literature and suggests future research directions for addressing obesity more effectively in both urban and rural populations. Methods: A comprehensive review of open-access, English-language literature published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and CrossRef. The inclusion criteria focused on studies examining obesity prevalence, risk factors, health implications, and interventions in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. Results: The review identifies a significant rise in obesity rates in Bangladesh, particularly in urban areas, where rates have reached 24% among adults. The key drivers of obesity include rapid urbanization, dietary shifts toward processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles. The health implications of obesity are severe, with strong associations to Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Policy responses remain limited, and community-level interventions have had mixed success due to underfunding and lack of coordination. Conclusion: Obesity in Bangladesh reflects broader global and regional patterns while presenting unique ..