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discussion

1. DISCUSSION: This study examined data from 41 countries globally to assess the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among adolescents facing hunger, shedding light on the complex nutritional landscape in this demographic. We found that 1 in 15 adolescents with hunger was underweight, and 1 in 4 were overweight or obese. The dual burden of malnutrition refers to the coexistence of undernutrition (such as underweight) and overnutrition (such as overweight or obesity) within the same population or individual. Prevalence rates of malnutrition varied significantly across regions, with notable disparities observed in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

2. The study also highlighted differences in malnutrition prevalence based on income levels, emphasizing the influence of socio-economic factors on nutritional outcomes among adolescents with hunger. Adolescents with hunger due to food insufficiency at home were more likely to be underweight when faced with additional food shortages or food poverty. Adolescents with hunger who are exposed to obesogenic environments (available and affordable food outside the home, especially foods that are high in fat or sugar, low in vitamins, minerals and protein, and relatively inexpensive) are more likely to become overweight or obese. The study also explored the complex interplay between hunger, stress, and overeating, shedding light on the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying malnutrition.

3. In middle-income countries, rapid economic development has been associated with a transition from underweight to overweight and obesity among adolescents facing hunger, highlighting the complex relationship between economic growth and nutritional outcomes. Economic development has led to increased availability of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods, exacerbating the prevalence of overweight and obesity in these regions. Addressing the dual burden of malnutrition poses significant challenges for governments, requiring careful resource allocation and policy interventions that target both underweight and overweight/obesity. Policy interventions such as taxation on unhealthy foods and subsidies for nutritious options can help mitigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly in high-income countries.

4. Policies targeting overweight and obesity often involve implementing taxes on "unhealthy" foods high in fat, sugar, and salt to reduce consumption, particularly in high-income countries. Evidence from Central America suggests that removing tariffs on nutritious foods has positively impacted the affordability of balanced diets and improved nutrition in regions where underweight and obesity coexist. Price subsidies or food vouchers targeting whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables can enhance the affordability of nutritionally dense foods. Supply-side reforms in the food industry, such as tax cuts, could stimulate the production and supply of healthier food options, addressing the issue of unaffordability of nutritious foods and reducing economic inequalities in overweight and obesity levels.

5. CONCLUSION : The situation for hungry teenagers is getting more complicated when it comes to nutrition. We discovered that many of them are dealing with two problems at once: some are too thin, while others are overweight or obese. And this varies depending on where they live. So, we need to come up with plans and actions that fit each region's needs and can tackle both issues together.