DIETARY PATTERNS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND METAANALYSIS OF UNHEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern, influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Among these, dietary habits play a critical role in managing weight and preventing obesity-related complications. While processed and fast foods have been linked to excessive weight gain, evidence supporting the protective effects of healthier dietary choices remains inconclusive. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A structured search of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science identified observational studies examining the relationship between food and beverage consumption and overweight/obesity in children aged 5–18 years. Study selection was based on the PICOS framework, with risk of bias assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A total of 60 studies, comprising 242,061 participants, were included in the final synthesis. Results: Higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.20, p < 0.05) and fast food (OR = 1.17, p < 0.05) was associated with increased obesity risk. Meat and refined grain intake also showed positive associations with overweight/obesity, though evidence was less consistent. Conversely, whole grain consumption (OR = 0.86, p = 0.04) and, unexpectedly, sweet bakery products (OR = 0.59, p < 0.05) were linked to a reduced risk. No significant associations were found for total dairy, fruit, and vegetable intake. Conclusion: This study highlights sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food as key dietary risk factors for childhood obesity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. While whole grains appeared protective, the unexpected association between sweet bakery products and reduced obesity risk warrants further research. These findings support the prioritization of dietary modifications in obesity prevention strategies for children and adolescents.