The co-occurrence of overweight/obesity and anaemia among adult women, adolescent girls and children living in fifty-two low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To investigate the magnitude and distribution of concurrent overweight/obesity and anaemia among adult women, adolescent girls and children living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Design: We selected the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys with anthropometric and Hb level measures. Prevalence estimates and 95 % CI of concurrent overweight/obesity and anaemia were calculated for every country, overall and stratified by household wealth quintile, education level, area of residence and sex (for children only). Regional and overall pooled prevalences were estimated using a random-effects model. We measured gaps, expressed in percentage points, to display inequalities in the distribution of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM). Setting: Nationally representative surveys from fifty-two LMIC. Participants: Adult women (n 825 769) aged 20–49 years, adolescent girls (n 192 631) aged 15–19 years and children (n 391 963) aged 6–59 months. Results: The pooled prevalence of concurrent overweight/obesity and anaemia was 12·4 % (95 % CI 11·1, 13·7) among adult women, 4·5 % (95 % CI 4·0, 5·0) among adolescent girls and 3·0 % (95 % CI 2·7, 3·3) among children. Overall, the DBM followed an inverse social gradient, with a higher prevalence among the richest quintile, most educated groups and in urban areas; however, important variations exist. The largest inequality gaps were observed among adult women in Yemen by household wealth (24·0 percentage-points) and in Niger by education level (19·6 percentage-points) and area of residence (11·9 percentage-points). Differences were predominantly significant among adult women, but less among girls and children. Conclusions: Context-specific, multifaceted, responses with an equity lens are needed to reduce all forms of malnutrition.