SynthesisJournal of global health2026
Global prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among migrant workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Journal of global health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Nutritional Vulnerabilities and Dietary Disparities Among Migrant Workers in the Informal Sectors: A Global Scoping Review.Journal of immigrant and minority health · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Migrant workers are increasingly recognised as a nutritionally vulnerable population due to unstable working conditions, disrupted food environments, and limited access to health services. However, global estimates of malnutrition in this group remain fragmented. We aimed to identify the global prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among migrant workers and identify key moderating factors. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. We searched seven databases without restrictions on language, region, or year of publication. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m Results: We included 30 studies involving 135 404 migrant workers with a mean age of 32.3 years (standard deviation = 11.1). The pooled prevalence was 4.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.1, 6.9) for underweight and 43.7% (95% CI = 39.8, 47.6) for overweight/obesity, suggesting a substantial double burden of malnutrition. Underweight was more common among local migrants and in lower-middle-income settings, particularly in South Asia, whereas overweight/obesity was more common among international migrants, especially in high-income countries and in Europe and Central Asia. Moderator analyses identified female proportion, destination country or region, income level, and marital status as significant moderators for both outcomes. Conclusions: Migrant workers experience a substantial double burden of malnutrition, although the pattern varies across migration contexts. Undernutrition remains a concern in lower-income settings, whereas overweight and obesity are more common in high-income settings. Integrating nutrition-sensitive strategies into labour and migration health policies, including healthier food environments, routine nutritional screening, and culturally appropriate interventions, may help reduce health inequalities in this population. Registration: INPLASY: 202540030.
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