Exploring Global Food Insecurity and Obesity among Children Under Five Years: A Scoping Review

The rise in overweight and obesity among children under five years has become a significant global health concern. The World Health Organization reports that childhood obesity increased from 4% in 1975 to 18% by 2016, affecting 38.2 million children under five years by 2019. Socioeconomic inequalities, particularly food insecurity, significantly contribute to these health issues by affecting children’s dietary quality and outcomes. This scoping review examined the association between food insecurity and obesity in children under five years across different regions. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-Scr) extension for scoping reviews, systematically searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2019 and January 2024. The search focused on children under five years, assessing household or child-level food security, and exploring associations with obesity or body mass index (BMI). Twelve articles were included, showing considerable regional differences in food insecurity rates. The highest prevalence was found among American Indian families in the US (61%), followed by Jerash, Jordan (45.7%) and Brazil (43.2%). Most studies indicated strong links between food insecurity and childhood obesity. However, reports from Ethiopia and Iran did not suggest direct relationships, underscoring the importance of local context. This review highlights the complex relationship between food insecurity and childhood obesity, especially in disadvantaged populations. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including policy interventions, community support, and further research to understand contextual differences. Policymakers should focus on enhancing food access, affordability and nutritional education.