The double burden of malnutrition among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries is common

Objectives:
Adults and young children in countries experiencing the nutrition transition are known to be affected simultaneously by undernutrition and overnutrition. Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development. Yet, it is unknown to what extent this double burden of malnutrition affects adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the macrolevel contextual factors associated with the double burden of malnutrition. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

The aim of this review article is to quantify the magnitude of the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents and to examine the potential sources of heterogeneity in prevalence estimates across low- and middle-income countries.

Study design:
This review article included individual-participant data from the Global School-Based Student Health and Health Behavior in School-Aged Children surveys conducted in 57 low- and middle-income countries between 2003 and 2013, comprising 129,276 adolescents aged 12-15 years.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found the prevalence of stunting was 10.2% [95% CI = 8.3% to 12.2%] and of thinness was 5.5% [95% CI = 4.3% to 6.9%].

The investigators found the prevalence of overweight or obesity was 21.4% [95% CI = 18.6% to 24.2%].

The investigators found between 38.4% and 58.7% of the variance in adolescent malnutrition was explained by macrolevel contextual factors.

The investigators found the prevalence of concurrent stunting and overweight or obesity was 2.0% [95% CI = 1.7% to 2.5%].

The investigators concluded that the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries is common. Context-sensitive implementation and scale-up of interventions and policies for the double burden of malnutrition are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal to end malnutrition in all of its forms by 2030.

Original title:
The double burden of malnutrition among adolescents: analysis of data from the Global School-Based Student Health and Health Behavior in School-Aged Children surveys in 57 low- and middle-income countries by Caleyachetty R, Thomas GN, […], Uauy R.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29947727

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