Patterns and Determinants of Double Burden Malnutrition at Household Level in Babylon

Abstract

Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a complex problem involving the coexistence of under- and overnutrition within the same individual, household, or population. Our study focused on double burden malnutrition at the household level, which happens when a mother is overweight or anemic, and a child is underweight in the same household. We characterized it as a household with an overweight or obese mother (OBM) and at least one child younger than the age of five who is malnourished. This double burden is assumed to have arisen as a result of low- and middle-income nations’ nutritional transition, as well as due to rapid changes in food production, eating patterns, and physical activity. Despite the fact that being underweight has long been regarded a major issue, overweight and obesity have been identified as a growing problem. Objective: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the DBM at the household level in Babylon governorate, as well as the significant factors that influence it. Materials and Methods: The study was carried in Iraq in 205 families in Babylon province at level of houses. The houses were chosen randomly. Selection geographical area and systemic random of sampling we choose the fifth house in each area, if there were no children or children with chronic diseases, we would pass it to the next fifth house. The study was conducted in urban and rural areas. In Al-Hilla Center choose (al mohandessein, al akrammeen, and al gamiaa) and in area rural of hilla included (Hamza Al-Dali Village, Karragol, and village fzaa) in north of Babylon choose Al-Musayyib District (almuealimin and AL-Sajjad District) rural to Al-Musayyib we choose (Al-Jilawiyeh Village and Hor Hussein) and Babylon hospital for women and children. Results: In this study, all families were included. Overweight or obesity was seen in 5.37% of mothers and stunted children, and in 3.41% of OBM and underweight children. In all families, there was an 8.78% prevalence of any concomitant DBM. Higher maternal age, households with more than two members, and a lower food diversity score were all found to have statistically significant positive relationships. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size, the prevalence of DBM is considered significant and alarming and may be higher in larger survey studies. In Babylon, higher maternal age and the presence of more than one kid younger than the age of 5 years were linked to greater odds of household DBM, and both played important roles in pushing the DBM trend upward.