The clinical and economic burden of obesity in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
Authors' conclusion
The clinical and economic burden of obesity on individuals and healthcare systems is significant, necessitating effective prevention and management strategies.
Study context
- Population
- Populations with obesity in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) (Brazil, Ghana, China, Iran, South Africa, Mexico, Thailand)
- Participants
- 13 studies
- Outcome
- Clinical and economic burdens associated with obesity in LMICs
Methodological detailsPRISMA guidelines, quality assessed via Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, Searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from inception to March 28, 2025, 6 prevalence-based, 4 survey-based and 3 model-based studies included of 676 reports
- PRISMA guidelines
- Quality assessed via Newcastle-Ottawa Scale
- Searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from inception to March 28, 2025
- 6 prevalence-based, 4 survey-based and 3 model-based studies included of 676 reports
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Annual costs associated with obesity in LMICs (2024 United States (US) dollars, purchasing power parity (PPP))
Annual direct costs, range
USD 0.2 billion to USD 12.56 billion
Annual indirect costs, range
USD 223 million to USD 227.5 million
Hospitalisation was the main cost driver
5 studies
Further pooled results
Clinical impact of obesity
- Studies reporting clinical impact
- 2
- Hospitalisations/person-years, men (one study)
- 803/9207
- Hospitalisations/person-years, women (one study)
- 2354/25,173
Original publication
The clinical and economic burden of obesity in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 29 September 2025. doi:10.
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