Two-decade trends and factors associated with overweight and obesity among young adults in Nepal

Overweight and obesity are global epidemics in the adult population, and also affect young
people. This study estimated the long-term trend (1996–2019) of overweight and obesity
among young adults aged 18 to 29 years in Nepal by sex based on the World Health Organization
(WHO) and Asian cut-offs for body mass index (BMI). We also investigated the demographic
factors associated with overweight and obesity in the latest survey. This study
utilized data from nationwide studies, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) and WHO
STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) surveys. The trends in overweight and obesity
were studied using trend analysis and joinpoint regression. Average annual percent
changes (AAPCs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the trends.
Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the factors associated with overweight
and obesity. The study findings showed significant upward trends in both overweight and
obesity for women with AAPCs of 10.5 (95% CI 6.4–14.7) and 15.8 (95% CI 10.9–20.8)
respectively. In the 25–29 age-group, the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased
among women from 2.2% to 24.7% between 1996 and 2019, and among men from 8.8% to
25.4% between 2007 and 2019. Increased odds of overweight (AOR 9.15, 95% CI 6.64–
12.60), and obesity (AOR 42.09, 95% CI 10.12–175.04) were found in 2019 compared to
1996. Older age and female sex, being married and urban residence were significantly associated
with overweight and obesity. In conclusion, this study showed rapid upward trends in
overweight and obesity among young adults in Nepal with an accelerated trend among
women; the predictors for overweight were older age, female sex and married status, and
those for obesity were older age, female sex, and urban residence.