ArticleBMJ open2025
Prevalence and determinants of underweight and overweight/obesity among Ghanaian children: a cross-sectional study using DHS data in Ghana.
Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Association Between Food Environment Characteristics and Overweight and Anemia in Socially Vulnerable Children Living in Favelas.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Pooled prevalence and associated factors of overweight/obesity among under-five children in 46 low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys data (2015-2024).PLOS global public health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere is a global rise in the burden of childhood obesity, increasing the risk of early onset adult obesity. Most developing countries face the double burden of malnutrition; overnutrition as overweight/obesity and undernutrition.
objectivesTo determine the current burden and determinants of childhood thinness, overweight and obesity using national survey data.
designData from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2022 were used.
settingData from the seventh Demographic Health Survey conducted in Ghana were used.
participantsThe participants included 4417 children ≤59 months.
methodThe seventh Ghana Demographic Health Survey in 2022 employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design, selecting 618 clusters to create a nationally representative sample. Weight and height were measured using the SECA 874U scale and Shorrboard, respectively. Children's heights were measured recumbent (<24 months) or standing (>24 months). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between thinness and obesity, as well as the independent factors. OUTCOME VARIABLE: The outcome variable was obesity, determined by a WHZ of >+2SD.
resultsThe weighted prevalence of overweight/obesity and thinness in children under 5 years is 9.9% and 5.2%, respectively. Children who were overweight or obese had a mean age of 23.11 months, those who were thin or severely thin had a lower mean age of 21.02 months, and those with normal nutritional status were relatively older, with a mean age of 28.41 months. The Upper West, Northeast and Northern regions had the lowest densities of obesity. In the multivariate logistic regression model, children residing in Ashanti, Oti, Northern, North East and Upper East regions had significantly reduced odds of being obese compared with those in the Ahafo region. The average haemoglobin for those overweight/obese was 10.8 g/dL, and 10.7 g/dL for those who were normal and marginally reduced, 10.5 g/dL for those who were thin.
conclusionRegional disparities, maternal nutritional status, socioeconomic conditions and unsafe water sources were significant determinants of child nutrition outcomes. These findings call for targeted, multipronged interventions that integrate maternal-child nutrition, safe water, sanitation and regional context.
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