Predictors of maternal and child double burden of malnutrition in rural Indonesia and Bangladesh

Vanessa M. Oddo, Jee H. Rah, Richard D. Semba, Kai Sun, Nasima Akhter, Mayang Sari, Saskia de Pee, Regina Moench-Pfanner, Martin Bloem, Klaus Kraemer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Many developing countries now face the double burden of malnutrition, defined as the coexistence of a stunted child and overweight mother within the same household.
Objective: This study sought to estimate the prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition and to identify associated maternal, child, and household characteristics in rural Indonesia and Bangladesh.
Design: A total of 247,126 rural households that participated in the Indonesia Nutrition Surveillance System (2000–2003) and 168,317 rural households in the Bangladesh Nutritional Surveillance Project (2003–2006) were included in the analysis. Maternal and child double burden (MCDB) and its association with individual and household characteristics were determined by using logistic regression models.
Results: MCDB was observed in 11% and 4% of the households in rural Indonesia and Bangladesh, respectively. Maternal short stature [Indonesia (OR: 2.32; 95% CI: 2.25, 2.40); Bangladesh (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.96, 2.26)], and older age were strong predictors of MCDB. Child characteristics such as older age and being female were associated with an increased odds of MCDB, whereas currently being breastfed was protective against MCDB [Indonesia (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.84); Bangladesh (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.58)]. A large family size and higher weekly per capita household expenditure predicted MCDB [Indonesia (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.40); Bangladesh (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.77, 2.12)].
Conclusions: Double burden is not exclusive to urban areas. Future policies and interventions should address under- and overweight simultaneously in both rural and urban developing country settings.
Original languageEnglish
Article number951-958
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume95
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Predictors of maternal and child double burden of malnutrition in rural Indonesia and Bangladesh'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this