Dual burden of malnutrition in mother-child pairs of the same household: Effect of nutrition transition

Abstract

This paper explores the dual form of malnutrition existing in the same household i.e. occurrence of both under-nutrition and overnutrition together and determining the adequacy of food consumption in mother-child pairs.30 mother-child pairs were included in the study. Nutritional status was assessed by WHO criterion. 50% of mothers were aged between 25-30 years, 36.7% had graduated. The prevalence of overweight mothers-underweight child pair was found to be 23%. Significant difference was reported between the intake adequacy of cereals, vegetables, fats and oils, carbohydrate, invisible fat, visible fat, total fat and fiber, among the mother-child pairs. Also MAR (Mean Adequacy Ratio) of nutrients revealed that mothers had significantly better nutritional adequacy than children (p=0.01). Therefore, mothers had a better nutritional status when compared with children. Dual form of malnutrition exists within the same household and the food intake adequacy of the child is influenced by mother’s food intake. Key words: malnutrition, dual-burden, mother-child pair, nutrient adequacy, nutrition transition