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Background and aims Associations between overweight/obesity and television viewing have been identified in high-income countries, but little evidence is available from low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the trends and correlates of television viewing and overweight/obesity among Nepalese women between 2006 and 2016. Methods and Results We analysed the data from 22,161 women aged 15-49 years who took part in Nepal Demographic Health Surveys 2006 (n=10,115), 2011 (n=5,881) or 2016 (n=6,165). Trained staff collected data on TV viewing and sociodemographic attributes from a face-to-face survey while height and weight were measured objectively to determine body mass index. Around 38% of the study participants watched TV at least once a week in 2006, which increased to 49% in 2011 and 46% in 2016. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 8% in 2006 to 14.6% in 2011 and 19.8% in 2016. Compared to those who did not watch TV at all, those watching it at least once a week were at 1.54 (95% CI: 1.02-2.33), 1.79 (95% CI: 1.23-2.60) and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.13-1.88) times higher odds of being overweight/obese in 2006, 2011 and 2016 respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of TV viewing rose among women in Nepal between 2006 and 2016 and was associated with overweight/obesity, which also increased dramatically over this period. Future studies examining the use of multiple screen devices, daily usage duration and content viewed are recommended to understand better the health impacts of transitions to more sedentary living in Nepal and similar settings.

Background and aim Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is emerging as a significant public health challenge in Nepal. Behavioural, social and economic changes are likely to play a part in the rise of this chronic disease, as they are in many developing countries. A better understanding of the relationship between physical activity (PA), socioeconomic factors and T2DM can inform the design of prevention programs. This study aimed to identify the path relationships between PA, socioeconomic position, anthropometric and metabolic variables and T2DM. Methods and results This study analysed data from 1977 Nepalese adults aged 40–69 years from the cross-sectional WHO STEPS survey undertaken in 2013. The latent variable “PA” was created using the information on domains of PA while the latent variable “socioeconomic position” was created using the variables education, occupation and ethnicity. Participants’ fasting blood glucose was used to determine their diabetes status. Structural equation modelling was conducted, and correlations and adjusted regression coefficients are reported. Individuals with higher education, in paid employment and from advantaged ethnic groups were more likely to have T2DM. Waist circumference, triglycerides and hypertension were found to have a statistically significant positive direct effect on T2DM. PA had indirect effects on T2DM, mediated by waist circumference. The indirect effects of socioeconomic position on T2DM were mediated by body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Conclusion Among Nepalese adults, higher socioeconomic position had a significant direct effect on T2DM, while both PA and higher socioeconomic position had significant indirect effects. Policies and programs to address T2DM in Nepal should address the factors contributing to unhealthy weight status, particularly among those of higher socioeconomic status.