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Although pediatric celiac disease is classically associated with malnutrition, poor growth, and underweight, recent data suggest an increasing prevalence among normal-weight, overweight, and obese children (see ). To examine recent trends in body-mass index (BMI) at the time of diagnosis, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14,000 children (mean age, 9 years) with newly diagnosed celiac disease in 32 studies across multiple countries.
When diagnosed, 70% of all children worldwide had normal weight, 15% were underweight (defined as BMI <5th percentile for age and sex), and 10% were overweight or obese (defined as BMI ≥85th percentile for age and sex).
In low- and middle-income countries, 36%…