Epidemiology and Society Health Review (ESHR)

Risk Factors for Obesity: A Systematic Review

Ami Poniasih — 2025-01-31

Background: Obesity is excessive fat accumulation due to an imbalance between energy intake and energy use. Between 2010 and 2018, there was an increase in the prevalence of overweight (3.9% annual average) and obesity (8% yearly average) among adults aged over 18. This study aims to overview the factors associated with the incidence of obesity.

Method: This systematic literature review generated the data using electronic sources: Google Scholar and PubMed. Articles were selected using keywords: risk factors, obesity, physical activity, and food intake. The inclusion criteria used were free full text published in Bahasa or English between 2018 and 2023. Exclusion criteria: Literature review articles and full text are not freely available.

Results: The existence of a high-calorie consumption pattern can increase the incidence of obesity, and lack of physical activity can cause the accumulation of body fat, which contributes to obesity. The findings from this study can be used to determine risk factors for obesity.

Conclusion: This systematic literature review article concludes that various factors are associated with obesity, including food intake, physical activity, and smoking.

Anaemia and Caesarean Section in Caucasian Race: Assessment of Risk Factors and Management Strategies

Yaser Khakpour — 2025-01-31

Background: Anaemia among pregnant women is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries, due to its adverse effects on both maternal and fetal health. This study addresses the gap in research regarding anaemia in pregnant women in northern Iran, specifically among those undergoing elective caesarean sections. The objective is to assess the prevalence of anaemia in this population.

Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 719 Caucasian pregnant women who were candidates for elective caesarean sections from September 2020 to March 2023. Patient data was collected from hospital electronic records. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <10.5 g/L in the three months before delivery and under 10 g/L after delivery. The Chi-square test was employed to compare anaemia prevalence across different demographic groups, with a significance level set at p-value < 0.05.

Results: Among the 719 participants, key demographic findings revealed that most had primary education (26.8%), while only 12.4% held university degrees. Most (59.8%) resided in urban areas, with the largest age group being 31-36 (30.5%). Most women (75.2%) reported no history of miscarriage, and 98.2% experienced no bleeding during pregnancy. Notably, 57.7% of women reported no underlying health conditions; however, 9.2% had gestational diabetes, while others had blood disorders, neurological issues, or gastrointestinal problems. The prevalence of anaemia among patients undergoing elective caesarean sections was found to be 10.85%. Anaemia was more prevalent in women aged 25-30 years.

Conclusion: integrating nutritional counselling into routine prenatal care can help address dietary deficiencies before they contribute to anaemia. Moreover, collaboration between healthcare providers and community leaders may foster greater acceptance of health interventions. By tailoring educational programs to local contexts and addressing specific cultural beliefs about nutrition and health, policymakers can create more effective strategies to combat anaemia in pregnant women.

Exclusive Breastfeeding as a Risk Factor for Stunting Among Under-Fives in Urban and Rural Indonesia: A Systematic Review

Rena Anjeli Wibowo — 2025-02-02

Background: Previous research found that children in rural areas have a 1.3 times greater risk of stunting than children in urban areas. Exclusive breastfeeding is one of the risk factors for stunting. The 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) showed that the percentage of exclusive breastfeeding in urban areas was 37.8%, while in rural areas, it was 46.9%. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the risk of stunting in toddlers who are not exclusively breastfed in rural and urban areas.

Method: This research used a Meta-Analysis Systematic Review by searching articles in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Garuda that were in Indonesian or English and published between 2019 and 2024. Keywords included stunting, risk factors, exclusive breastfeeding, children under five, rural, and urban. The article search used the PICO framework, while the article quality assessment used the Joanna Bright Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Instrument. The data collected was presented in a PRISMA diagram and analyzed based on Forest Plot graphs using RevMan 5.4.1.

Results: A total of 3,269 articles were identified, and 11 met the criteria. The analysis showed that toddlers not exclusively breastfed had a 3.84 times greater risk of stunting in rural areas and 2.38 times greater for urban regions than exclusively breastfed toddlers.

Conclusion: Children who are not exclusively breastfed in rural areas are at greater risk of stunting than those in urban areas.