Socioeconomic inequalities in overweight and obesity among young adult women in Nepal between two cross-sectional surveys in 2001 and 2022

Abstract

Objective To examine the socioeconomic inequalities in overweight-obesity and their changes in two decades, among young adult women aged 18-29 years in Nepal. Design Cross-sectional study based on Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2001 and 2022. Setting Nepal. Participants Data of young adult women aged 18-29 years were included for the study. Outcome measures Socioeconomic inequalities in education, occupation and household wealth were analysed through regression-based inequality indices: the Relative Index of Inequality, the Slope Index of Inequality and the Concentration Index. A concentration curve was constructed to evaluate whether overweight-obesity skewed towards poverty or wealth. Results We found an increase in the prevalence of overweight-obesity prevalence between 2001 (3.99%) and 2022 (15.45%), mostly in the oldest group (25-29 years), and among Janajati and rural residents. Socioeconomic gradients favoured wealthier, educated and employed women. A downward shift in wealth status was initially associated with a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity among women, but over time, it became linked to a higher prevalence. Conclusions The social gradient of overweight-obesity from 2001 to 2022 favoured women with higher socioeconomic status, and this shows a decreasing trend.