Overweight and Obesity Among In-School Children and Adolescents (5–19 Years) in Ghana: A Scoping Review of Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are linked to the severity of infections and the development of chronic conditions among children and adolescents in Ghana. Hence, estimating the current prevalence and its determinants is imperative to guide public health interventions. This review mapped evidence on the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among in-school children and adolescents (aged 5–19 years) in Ghana. Three main databases (PubMed, Central, and JSTOR) were searched for studies conducted in Ghana. Also, the study included only studies published online between 2010 and 2022. The search produced 1214 records, with an additional 23 identified through a search conducted in Google, Google Scholar, the WHO library, HINARI, and institutional repositories. After a thorough screening, 24 records were synthesized. The prevalence of overweight/obesity among the 23,663 in-school children and adolescents in Ghana was 0.5%–47.06%. Females have higher odds of being overweight than males. In addition, lack of nutrition and physical activity (PA) knowledge and low participation in school sports and physical activities exposed in-school children and adolescents in Ghana to overweight and obesity. Consumption of unhealthy foods, late bed, smoking, loneliness, watching television, and playing computer games exposed schoolchildren and adolescents in Ghana to overweight and obesity. There are relatively high levels of overweight and obesity among school-going children and adolescents in Ghana. Addressing sex gaps in PA, ensuring healthy eating, and limiting sedentary lifestyles is the surest way to promote healthy weight among in-school children and adolescents in Ghana.