Dietary Factors Influencing Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a serious global public health issue linked to serious metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychological issues. The development of childhood and adolescent obesity is mostly influenced by dietary variables. With an emphasis on dietary patterns, meal behaviors, and the intake of certain foods and beverages by children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18, this systematic review sought to summarize the most recent research on the dietary determinants impacting childhood obesity. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed in conducting the review. For research published between 2013 and 2025, four electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, SciSpace, and ArXiv were searched. Cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and dietary intervention studies that looked at relationships between dietary exposures and obesity outcomes (BMI, BMI z-scores, prevalence of overweight/obesity, and body fat percentage) were all considered eligible. 22 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis after duplicates were eliminated through hand screening. A narrative synthesis approach was chosen since study designs and outcome measures varied widely. Research has repeatedly shown that unhealthy eating habits that include a lot of sugar-sweetened drinks (SSBs), ultra-processed foods, refined grains, and fast food are positively connected to a higher risk of being overweight or obese. In contrast, healthy dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fiber were protective against excess adiposity. Regular breakfast consumption and structured family meals were associated with healthier weight outcomes, whereas breakfast skipping and screen-based eating behaviors increased obesity risk. Socioeconomic and environmental factors further modified dietary behaviors and obesity outcomes. Dietary factors are major determinants of childhood obesity. Promotion of healthy dietary patterns, reduction in SSB and ultra-processed food consumption, and reinforcement of structured meal behaviors are essential components of effective obesity prevention strategies. Multi-level interventions integrating policy, environmental, and family-based approaches are recommended to curb the global burden of childhood obesity.