## 4 Discussion  
This paper represents the authors' first attempt to investigate the relationship between diet and adiposity in female South African adolescents using a systematic review approach. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing globally, with developing nations experiencing an accelerated rise [24]. Gender differences in overweight and obesity prevalence have been observed in both developing and developed countries, with females generally being more at risk [25]. Extensive research has been conducted to explore the link between diet and obesity in various populations. Factors such as physical activity (PA), urbanization, and economic development (as indicated by gross domestic product (GDP)) have been associated with an increased risk of obesity [26; 27]. In South Africa, two studies have demonstrated a positive association between economic growth and obesity in children and adults [28; 29]. This can be attributed to the expanding economy facilitating increased availability and demand for Westernized diets, convenience foods, and sedentary lifestyles as people's incomes rise. Consequently, urban women in countries undergoing economic development have experienced significant increases in overweight and obesity, while rural women are catching up with their urban counterparts [30]. In developing nations such as South Africa and Mexico, the consumption of a high-animal protein and fat diet has been linked to obesity in adults [31]. High energy, fat, and carbohydrate intakes have also been directly associated with elevated sub-scapular skinfold measurements among children aged 2 to 15 years in South Australia [32]. Similarly, [PERSON] and colleagues found that high animal-driven nutrient intake was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity [17]. Adolescence is a critical period of human development when organs and physiological systems undergo maturation [33]. Furthermore, a significant portion of adult weight, especially in females, is attained during this stage, which is characterized by faster secondary growth velocity compared to males. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, along with associated cardiometabolic risk factors, hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and mortality in adulthood, dramatically increases during adolescence [34]. A review of data from developed and developing countries revealed that the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents in Africa and Asia averaged below 10%, while the Americas and Europe reported a prevalence of around 20% [35]. The trend of rising overweight and obesity prevalence observed in women in developing countries is also evident in younger girls. Similarly, adolescent girls in South Africa face a significantly higher risk of being overweight and obese compared to boys [6]. In Kenya, a higher level of overweight was found among female children aged 9-11 years [36]. Several factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in developing nations, including sedentary lifestyles, adoption of Westernized diets, economic development, mechanized transportation, urbanization, and changes in dietary patterns [21; 37; 38; 39]. These drivers differ from those observed in developed countries, which include factors such as meal frequency, breakfast skipping, paternal education, unemployment, and family history of arterial hypertension [40]. The development of obesity in adolescent girls is influenced by a combination of physical, biological, and developmental factors [41]. The association between diet and adiposity in South African female adolescents is influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status, living arrangements, and physical activity habits [6]. Obesity can also be caused by various factors, including molecular, genetic, developmental, behavioral, and environmental influences [42; 43]. Excessive consumption of high-fat, energy-dense foods has been linked to a cycle of increased desire and consumption of such foods, leading to weight gain [44].