Global Perspectives on Pediatric Obesity: Endocrine Consequences and Diabetes Risk in Developing Nations

Pediatric obesity has become one of the most urgent global health challenges, with rapidly rising prevalence in developing nations. Traditionally considered a problem of high-income countries, the epidemic is now accelerating in low- and middle-income regions, where health systems are often under-resourced to address its complex metabolic consequences. This dual burden of undernutrition and emerging obesity creates unique patterns of endocrine and metabolic disease, underscoring the need for a focused scientific dialogue.

The implications of childhood obesity extend beyond excess weight. Obesity alters endocrine and metabolic pathways, disrupts hormonal balance, and significantly increases the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In developing countries, these effects may be amplified by genetic predisposition, early-life nutritional factors, sociocultural determinants, and limited access to preventive and therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the prevalence of double diabetes, pubertal disturbances, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal abnormalities, and reproductive complications is increasingly reported in children and adolescents with obesity in these regions.

This Research Topic aims to explore the interplay between pediatric obesity, endocrine cosequences, and diabetes risk in the specific context of developing nations. By integrating mechanistic, clinical, and epidemiological perspectives, the collection seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how obesity shapes pediatric endocrine health across diverse populations and healthcare settings.

Potential areas of interest include (but are not limited to):

- Mechanistic and pathophysiological studies on obesity-related endocrine disruption in children.

- Clinical studies on endocrine consequences of pediatric obesity, including puberty, PCOS, thyroid disorders, adrenal function, and growth disturbances.

- The interaction between obesity and diabetes risk, including type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and double diabetes.

- Epidemiological data and registry-based insights from developing nations.

- Sociocultural, nutritional, and environmental determinants of pediatric obesity and its endocrine outcomes in resource-limited settings.

- Prevention and treatment strategies applicable to low- and middle-income countries, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and community-based programs.

- Health disparities, policy frameworks, and systems-based challenges in addressing pediatric obesity and its complications globally.

By focusing on developing nations, this collection will address an underrepresented but critically important aspect of global pediatric endocrinology. It will provide new evidence and insights into the endocrine and diabetes consequences of pediatric obesity in settings where the burden is rising most rapidly, but research and resources are often limited. Ultimately, the Research Topic aims to foster international collaboration, promote equity in pediatric obesity research, and inform prevention and intervention strategies tailored to diverse populations.