Children body mass index trends in four low- and middle-income countries: Analysis of young lives cohort study data

Abstract

BackgroundBody mass index is a helpful tool for determining underweight, overweight, or obese in children and adults. ObjectivesThe study investigates trends of BMI and its distribution by age group, gender, and urban-rural location in four low and middle-income countries. MethodsThis study adopted a mixed-effect model to examine the BMI trend from 2006 to 2016 using evidence obtained from the Young Lives cohort study in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. ResultsThe study found significant variations and increases in BMI between 2006 and 2016 in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. Peru had the highest BMI changes in both genders and urban-rural areas. A low BMI was observed in Ethiopia and India. Gender and urban-rural differences had a significant role in determining BMI variations. The mean BMI increased from 15.05 kg/m2 (95% CI: 14.99–15.11) to 18.52 kg/m2 (95% CI: 18.4–18.63) in males and from 14.8 kg/m2 (95% CI: 14.74–14.86) to 19.46 kg/m2 (95% CI: 19.34–19.57) in females. ConclusionsFrom 2006 to 2016, BMI trends varied in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. Differences between urban and rural areas and gender have a big role in determining BMI variations.