Abstract

Obesity has become one of the most pressing public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries 
(LMICs), coexisting with persistent undernutrition and food insecurity to create a complex double burden of 
malnutrition. Vulnerable populations including children, women, rural residents, and low-income households are 
disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthy foods, healthcare, and nutrition education. This paper 
examines the impact of obesity on vulnerable groups, identifies major research gaps and methodological 
limitations, and analyses regional case studies across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America and the 
Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Findings reveal that urbanization, dietary transitions 
toward ultra-processed foods, and sedentary lifestyles are accelerating obesity prevalence across all regions. 
Research and policy efforts are hindered by non-standardized data collection methods, measurement 
inconsistencies, and weak surveillance systems. Evidence suggests that socioeconomic disparities and cultural 
perceptions of body image further complicate obesity prevention. Standardizing measurement protocols, 
improving longitudinal data access, and developing culturally sensitive interventions are critical to mitigating 
obesity’s impact on vulnerable populations. Multisectoral approaches that integrate health, education, food 
systems, and urban planning are essential to achieving sustainable progress and addressing the obesity epidemic in 
LMICs.