Prevalence and Predictors of Double Burden of Malnutrition within Households in Africa: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the emergence of double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Africa. In this study, we reviewed the literature on double burden of malnutrition in households, reviewing previous studies investigating the prevalence of DBM in Africa and the factors associated with it. To identify relevant studies, we consulted the PubMed and Cochrane electronic databases, using specific search terms. A total of seventeen articles met the eligibility criteria. These articles were published between 2012 and 2022, and their data were collected between 2000 and 2019. Twelve of these studies used secondary data, including demographic and health surveys. The age of children and adults varied from study to study. All studies used Body Mass Index as a nutritional indicator for adults. For children, the height-for-age Z-score was most commonly used, while weight-for-age, weight-for-height and Body Mass Index-for-age were less commonly used. The national prevalence of double nutritional burden in households ranged from 1.71% to 38.7%, depending on the country and the year. However, direct comparisons between studies were limited due to differences in combinations of undernutrition, overweight or obesity. Among the factors associated with double nutritional burden within households, the most frequently cited in the selected articles were urban/rural residence, income or socioeconomic status, age of child and mother, household size and mother’s level of education. However, no study assessed physical activity, and very few examined the diet of household members. It is essential to take these different parameters into account when designing and implementing interventions to prevent the DBM in Africa. Community and societal factors will also need to be studied and taken into account in these interventions.