Abstract
Background/Objectives:This study aims at examining the urban–rural differentials in the effects of socioeconomic predictors on underweight and obesity of ever-married women in Bangladesh. The effect of malnutrition and other risk factors on non-communicable diseases is also examined.Subjects/Methods:The information regarding nutritional status, socioeconomic and demographic background, and non-communicable diseases of ever-married women was extracted from the nationally representative, cross-sectional Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS 2011) data set. Both bivariate (χ2 test) and multivariate (multinomial logistic regression model) analyses were performed in determining the risk factors of malnutrition. The effect of malnutrition and associated risk factors on non-communicable diseases was determined using binary logistic regression models.Results:The overall prevalence as well as the effects of individual risk factors of malnutrition differ in urban and rural settings. Regional differentials in the prevalence of underweight were statistically significant only for rural areas. In rural and urban settings, women from households with poor economic status were 67% (odds ratio (OR) 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.43) and 81% (OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.13–0.29) less likely to be overweight, respectively, with respect to those from affluent households. Women from the Rangpur division were significantly more likely to suffer from anemia (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.13–1.77) and hypertension (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.19–2.34) than those from the Sylhet division (reference division). With respect to those considered as underweight, women who were categorized as overweight were 0.47 (OR=0.53, 95% CI 0.43–0.65) times less likely to suffer from anemia, and 1.83 (OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.99–4.02) and 1.70 (OR=2.70, 95% CI 2.09–3.50) times more likely to suffer from diabetes and hypertension, respectively.Conclusions:Rural–urban differentials in the effects of individual risk factors of malnutrition were observed. Wealth status of households and nutritional status of women showed significant effect on the prevalence of anemia, diabetes and hypertension.
Highlights
IntroductionMalnutrition appears as a threat for pregnant women, increases the susceptibility to diseases and accelerates maternal mortality ratios.[2,3,4] Malnutrition can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and underweight mothers are more likely to give births to babies with relatively lower weight.[5,6,7] Such babies achieve poor psychological health[8] and possess higher risks of mortality, and in the case of survival, higher risks of being underweight.[9,10] Owing to low dietary intake, inequitable distribution of food within a household, and poor food storage and preparation practices, malnutrition appears as a chronic problem among women in Bangladesh.[11,12] With 176 pregnancy-related deaths per 100 000 live births, Bangladesh is considered as a country with higher prevalence of maternal mortality ratios.[13]
The non-communicable diseases of hypertension and diabetes were most prevalent among overweight women, whereas anemia was most prevalent among underweight women (Figure 2)
Household wealth had significant association with nutritional status of women and the association was more prominent in urban areas
Summary
Malnutrition appears as a threat for pregnant women, increases the susceptibility to diseases and accelerates maternal mortality ratios.[2,3,4] Malnutrition can result in adverse pregnancy outcomes and underweight mothers are more likely to give births to babies with relatively lower weight.[5,6,7] Such babies achieve poor psychological health[8] and possess higher risks of mortality, and in the case of survival, higher risks of being underweight.[9,10] Owing to low dietary intake, inequitable distribution of food within a household, and poor food storage and preparation practices, malnutrition appears as a chronic problem among women in Bangladesh.[11,12] With 176 pregnancy-related deaths per 100 000 live births, Bangladesh is considered as a country with higher prevalence of maternal mortality ratios.[13].
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