Socioeconomic inequalities in overweight and obesity among South Asian women, 2000–2022

BACKGROUND: South Asia is faced with the growing burden of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, with increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Yet there is limited comparable evidence from repeated Demographic Health Surveys anthropometric data across multiple South Asian countries on the extent to which these trends are associated with social determinants. OBJECTIVES: This study examines the absolute and temporal changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among South Asian women, investigating their associations with social determinants in selected South Asian countries that have comparable Demographic Health Survey data. METHODS: We analysed the absolute changes from 2000 until 2022 using log regression model fitted with social determinants: wealth, education, and urban-rural residence. The data was based on Demographic Health Surveys's from 1,561,090 women aged 15-49 across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Maldives, and Pakistan. RESULTS: Overweight and obesity rose significantly in all countries, except the Maldives, with prevalence ranging from 5% to 37%. It was more pronounced among urban (13% to 46% in Bangladesh), less educated (7.3% in India to 70% in the Maldives), and wealthier women (23% in Nepal to 73% in Pakistan). CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings indicate a marked epidemiological shift towards increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity rates among South Asian women of reproductive age.