Global Burden of Double Malnutrition: Has Anyone Seen It?
2011

Global Burden of Double Malnutrition

Sample size: 451321 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Corsi Daniel J., Finlay Jocelyn E., Subramanian S. V.

Primary Institution: Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences

Hypothesis

Are underweight and overweight coexisting among low- to middle-income countries?

Conclusion

The study found that underweight and overweight do not coexist significantly in most low- to middle-income countries.

Supporting Evidence

  • There was a strong negative correlation between underweight and overweight at the country level (r = -0.79).
  • Negative correlations were observed in 46 of the 57 countries at the neighborhood level.
  • Among low socioeconomic status groups, similar negative correlations were found.

Takeaway

In many countries, people are either underweight or overweight, but not both at the same time.

Methodology

Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative samples from Demographic and Health Surveys.

Limitations

The study focused only on women of reproductive age and did not include men or children.

Participant Demographics

Women aged 20-49 years from 57 low- to middle-income countries.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025120

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