Amugsi DA, Dimbuene ZT, Kyobutungi C. Correlates of the double burden of malnutrition among women: an analysis of cross sectional survey data from sub-Saharan Africa.
BMJ Open 2019;
9:e029545. [PMID:
31272983 PMCID:
PMC6615784 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029545]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlates of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among women in five sub-Saharan African countries.
DESIGN
Secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). The outcome variable was body mass index (BMI), a measure of DBM. The BMI was classified into underweight (BMI <18.50 kg/m2), normal weight (18.50-24.99 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (≥30.0 kg/m2).
SETTINGS
Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SUBJECTS
Women aged 15-49 years (n=64698).
RESULTS
Compared with normal weight women, number of years of formal education was associated with the likelihood of being overweight and obese in Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria, while associated with the likelihood of being underweight in Kenya and Nigeria. Older age was associated with the likelihood of being underweight, overweight and obese in all countries. Positive associations were also observed between living in better-off households and overweight and obesity, while a negative association was observed for underweight. Breastfeeding was associated with less likelihood of underweight in DRC and Nigeria, obesity in DRC and Ghana, overweight in Kenya and overweight and obesity in Mozambique and Nigeria relative to normal weight.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis reveals that in all the countries, women who are breastfeeding are less likely to be underweight, overweight and obese. Education, age and household wealth index tend to associate with a higher likelihood of DBM among women. Interventions to address DBM should take into account the variations in the effects of these correlates.
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