The Prevalence of Double-Burden Malnutrition among Registered Nurses in Iligan City

Abstract

Background and Aim: The Philippines suffers from double-burden malnutrition, and nurses are no exception. This study aimed to investigate the association between the BMI, eating habits, and physical activity among registered nurses in Iligan City, Philippines.  Design: The researchers utilized a correlational research design to explore the connections between double burden malnutrition, BMI, physical activity, and eating habits among 81 registered nurses in selected hospitals in Iligan City.  Results: Most participants experienced high blood pressure (93.8%), and a minority had diabetes (9.9%). Dietary habits showed median intakes of 2.70 for go- foods (1-3 per month), 3.65 for grow foods (1 per week), and 2.47 for glow foods (1-3 per month). The majority engaged in physical activity for less than thirty minutes daily (96.3%). There was a significant BMI difference between low and moderate activity levels (p = 0.003), indicating an important association with physical activity patterns. However, BMI scores did not significantly correlate with eating habits.  Conclusion: No associations were found between the nurses’ BMI and eating habits, but a strong association were found between BMI and physical activity, underscoring the double burden of malnutrition. Future research with larger samples is needed to clarify these relationships. The study also highlights the growing public health concern of overweight/obesity among registered nurses, indicating that their BMI and physical activity patterns may contribute to the double-burden malnutrition.