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Double Burden of Malnutrition: A Population Level Comparative Cross-Sectional Study across Three Sub-Saharan African Countries—Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe

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  • Tafadzwa Nyanhanda

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, VIC 4701, Australia
    College of Sport, Health and Engineering & Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia)

  • Lillian Mwanri

    (Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide Campus, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • William Mude

    (School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Cairns City, QLD 4870, Australia)

Abstract

Background: The double burden of malnutrition in sub-Saharan African countries at different levels of economic development was not extensively explored. This study investigated prevalence, trends, and correlates of undernutrition and overnutrition among children under 5 years and women aged 15–49 years in Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe with differing socio- economic status. Methods: Prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity were determined and compared across the countries using demographic and health surveys data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to ascertain any relationships between selected demographic and socio-economic variables and overnutrition and undernutrition. Results: An increasing trend in overweight/obesity in children and women was observed across all countries. Zimbabwe had the highest prevalence of overweight/obesity among women (35.13%) and children (5.9%). A decreasing trend in undernutrition among children was observed across all countries, but the prevalence of stunting was still very high compared to the worldwide average level (22%). Malawi had the highest stunting rate (37.1%). Urban residence, maternal age, and household wealth status influenced maternal nutritional status. The likelihood of undernutrition in children was significantly higher with low wealth status, being a boy, and low level of maternal education. Conclusions: Economic development and urbanization can result in nutritional status shifts.

Suggested Citation

  • Tafadzwa Nyanhanda & Lillian Mwanri & William Mude, 2023. "Double Burden of Malnutrition: A Population Level Comparative Cross-Sectional Study across Three Sub-Saharan African Countries—Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5860-:d:1150050
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa Neuman & Ichiro Kawachi & Steven Gortmaker & SV Subramanian, 2014. "National Economic Development and Disparities in Body Mass Index: A Cross-Sectional Study of Data from 38 Countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Frost, Michelle Bellessa & Forste, Renata & Haas, David W., 2005. "Maternal education and child nutritional status in Bolivia: finding the links," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 395-407, January.
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