Publication: Double Burden of Malnutrition among Mother-Child Dyads in a Rural Area of West Bengal, India: A Comprehensive Analysis of Contributing Factors
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), where undernutrition and overnutrition
coexist, is a new paradigm in the global nutritional landscape. With an increasing rate
of obesity and a gradual decline in undernutrition, India is currently experiencing
this public health challenge. At the household level, among mother-child pairs, this
disparity in nutritional status is becoming evident.
Objective
To assess the prevalence and patterns of the double burden of malnutrition among
mother-child dyads and to determine the factors associated with this condition.
Method
In this observational, cross-sectional study, the nutritional status (double burden
of malnutrition) of 360 mothers and their children (aged 0 - 23 months) from a
rural community of West Bengal, India, was assessed. Data were collected via
interviews using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and through standard
anthropometric measurements. The collected data were subsequently analyzed
using SPSS (Version 25).
Result
The findings showed that 16.1% of the mother-child pairs had double burden of
malnutrition, the highest being the pair of overweight/obese mother-stunted
children (10%). Mother’s education (aOR 4.19, CI 1.65-10.62), food-insecure
households (aOR 3.27, CI 1.51-9.16), and lower socio-economic class (aOR 2.70, CI
1.09-6.67) were found to be significantly associated with the presence of double
burden of malnutrition among participants.
Conclusion
The double burden of malnutrition among mother-child dyads can be seen as a dual
nutrition challenge that needs to be addressed with paramount importance. This
contrasting form of malnutrition claims a renewed focus and program intervention
through the equity-focused policies of Double Duty Action.
KEY WORDS
Double burden, India, Malnutrition, Mother-child Dyad, Rural
Description
Sengupta T,1 Mallick AK,2 Sahu M,3 Sarkar S4
1Department of Community Medicine
All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, India
2Department of Maternal and Child Health
All India Institute of Hygiene Public Health, Kolkata, India
3Department of Occupational Health,
All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, India
4Senior Statistical Officer
All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, India
Keywords
Double burden, India, Malnutrition, Mother-child Dyad, Rural