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Prevalence and Correlates of Underweight among Women of Reproductive Age in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Kritika Rana

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
    Health Equity Laboratory, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Philanthropy Nepal (Paropakari Nepal) Research Collaboration, Auburn, NSW 2144, Australia)

  • Ritesh Chimoriya

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Health Equity Laboratory, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Philanthropy Nepal (Paropakari Nepal) Research Collaboration, Auburn, NSW 2144, Australia
    School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

  • Nabila Binte Haque

    (Department of Health Systems and Populations, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia)

  • Milan K. Piya

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Macarthur Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism Service, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

  • Romila Chimoriya

    (Philanthropy Nepal (Paropakari Nepal) Research Collaboration, Auburn, NSW 2144, Australia
    Department of Pediatrics, Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Michael Ekholuenetale

    (Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200214, Nigeria)

  • Amit Arora

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
    Health Equity Laboratory, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of underweight and determine the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight among women of reproductive age in Nepal. This study also compared the time trends in the prevalence of underweight with the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This cross-sectional study was a secondary data analysis of the nationally representative population-based Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHSs). Firstly, the time trends of the prevalence of underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m 2 ) among women aged 15–49 years were examined at five-year intervals, from the 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 NDHSs ( n = 33,507). Secondly, the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight were examined from the latest NDHS 2016 ( n = 6165). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight. From 1996 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased from 25.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 23.8%, 26.8%) to 16.9% (95%CI 16.0%, 17.8%), while the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 1.6% (95%CI 1.2%, 2.1%) to 15.6% (95%CI 14.7%, 16.5%) and 0.2% (95%CI 0.1%, 0.4%) to 4.1% (95%CI 3.6%, 4.6%), respectively. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, educational status, marital status, wealth index, and religion, were independently associated with the risk of underweight. Similarly, household environmental factors, such as province of residence, ecological zone, type of toilet facility, and household possessions, including television and mobile phone, were independently associated with the risk of underweight. Despite the declining trends, the prevalence of underweight among Nepalese women remains a public health challenge. Understanding the key sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight may assist in streamlining the content of health promotion campaigns to address undernutrition and potentially mitigate adverse health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kritika Rana & Ritesh Chimoriya & Nabila Binte Haque & Milan K. Piya & Romila Chimoriya & Michael Ekholuenetale & Amit Arora, 2022. "Prevalence and Correlates of Underweight among Women of Reproductive Age in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11737-:d:917553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anjana Rai & Swadesh Gurung & Subash Thapa & Naomi M Saville, 2019. "Correlates and inequality of underweight and overweight among women of reproductive age: Evidence from the 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, May.
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