Association between unhealthy snack food and beverage consumption and the nutritional status of Nepalese children and adolescents: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Eating habits have changed significantly over the past few decades, with consumers favoring unhealthy snack foods and beverages over traditional foods. This trend has shifted dietary patterns in developed and industrialized countries. However, this trend now also affects low- and middle-income countries, such as Nepal. Nepal is facing poverty, food insecurity, undernutrition like stunting and wasting, and also overweight and obesity during recent years among children and adolescents. The primary aim of this review is to assess the association between the consumption of unhealthy snack foods and beverages and the nutritional status of children and adolescents in urban, peri-urban, and rural Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus were used to undertake a thorough desk-based searching of the literature. The literature was chosen using a number of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected publications were gathered, appraised for quality assessment, and results synthesized from studies. RESULTS: Unhealthy snack food and beverages consumption is frequently reported to be high in urban areas and is significantly associated with higher odds of overweight or obesity. In sub-urban areas, the consumption is at a moderate level, exceeding that of rural areas, while generally lower than in urban settings and comparatively lower among rural youngsters, however, marketing initiatives and increased access are steadily raising the consumption. Although the majority of Nepalese children maintain a normal weight, underweight and stunting remain significant public health issues, and overweight and obesity are growing issues that require prompt action. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents in Nepal face two nutritional challenges: a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity and ongoing undernutrition. Undernutrition and stunting are major problems in rural Nepal, and the widespread consumption of unhealthy snack food and beverages in urban areas is strongly associated with the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. These issues reflect the ongoing differences in food diversity, accessibility, and overall dietary quality between rural and urban settings.