Abstract
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) affects many low- and middle-income countries. However, few studies have examined DBM at the individual level, or undernutrition and overnutrition co-occurring within the same person. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of DBM among adults in the Philippines. Data from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey were used. The sample size in the analysis was 17,010 adults aged ≥20 years old, after excluding pregnant and lactating women. DBM was defined as the co-occurrence of overweight/obesity and anemia (definition #1), overweight/obesity and anemia or vitamin A deficiency (definition #2), and overweight/obesity and anemia or vitamin A deficiency or iodine insufficiency (definition #3). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers were used for DBM assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and logistic regression by R software. Results showed that definition #3 is the predominant type of DBM (7.0%) in the general population, whereas the prevalence of DBM has increased to 23.7% in overweight/obese persons. Sex, age, educational attainment, marital status, household size, wealth quintile, and smoking status were the determinants of DBM. This study revealed that Filipino adults experience malnutrition critically and must be addressed through food and nutrition interventions.
Highlights
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a public health challenge confronting low- and middle-income countries [1]
The double burden of malnutrition exists among Filipino adults
Overweight/obesity co-occurring with anemia or vitamin A deficiency or iodine insufficiency has the highest prevalence among the DBM types
Summary
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a public health challenge confronting low- and middle-income countries [1]. Organization (WHO), DBM is a phenomenon of “the coexistence of undernutrition or micronutrient deficiency along with overweight, obesity or diet-related non-communicable diseases” [2]. DBM can take place at three levels. The first level is individual, wherein there is the simultaneous development of two or more types of malnutrition within the same person, for example, obesity with anemia or any vitamin or mineral deficiencies or insufficiencies. At the household level, DBM manifests when malnutrition co-exists among parents and their children. The population is the third level, and DBM occurs when undernutrition and overnutrition or diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are observed in the community, region, or country [2]
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