Double Burden of Malnutrition Among Migrants and Refugees in Developed Countries

Judith Byaruhanga,Blessing Akombi-Inyang,Andre Renzaho,Md Nazmul Huda

doi:10.7565/ssp.v4.5394

Abstract

Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) increases the risk of developing non-communicable diseases among migrant and refugee populations living in developed countries. This systematic review aims to examine the DBM among migrants and refugees in developed countries. It aims to appraise, synthesise, and summarise literature to create an evidence base that looks at multiple faces of DBM. Methods/Design: This protocol is informed by the standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A systematic review of peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies on DBM among migrants and refugees in developed countries will be undertaken. The review will include only studies published in English. Eight bibliographic databases will be searched: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, and web of science. Grey literature will also be searched. Studies that meet the inclusion criteria will be imported to Covidence. Screening for eligible studies will be conducted by two independent researchers. The quality of included studies will be appraised for risk of bias using validated tools. A narrative synthesis approach will be undertaken to report retrieved data. Discussion: The protocol provides insight into the scope and parameters of the systematic review to be conducted.

Highlights

RationaleDescribe the rationale for the review in the context of what is already known
This dynamic nutrition landscape has witnessed the coexistence of undernutrition along overweight or obesity, micro- or macronutrient deficiency or diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) emerging as a public health concern especially within migrant and refugee populations (Popkin et al, 2020; UNICEF, 2017)
Nutrition-related factors mainly due to undernutrition contribute to approximately 45% of child mortality with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2020a; World Health Organization (WHO), 2020b)

Summary

Introduction

RationaleDescribe the rationale for the review in the context of what is already known. 1.1 Introduction to the literature Globally, diet-related epidemiology has seen a significant shift in recent decades being largely influenced by the forces of globalisation, income and economic growth, urbanisation, and demographic change (WHO, 2017; Popkin et al, 2020) This dynamic nutrition landscape has witnessed the coexistence of undernutrition along overweight or obesity, micro- or macronutrient deficiency or diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) emerging as a public health concern especially within migrant and refugee populations (Popkin et al, 2020; UNICEF, 2017). Recent trend shows a simultaneous rise in childhood overweight and obesity in LMICs (WHO, 2020a; WHO, 2020b)

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