Options
The Double Burden of Malnutrition in Bangalore, India
Journal
Hidden Hunger and the Transformation of Food Systems: How to Combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition?
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Mittal, Nitya
Editor(s)
Biesalski, Hans Konrad
DOI
10.1159/000507521
Abstract
Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) i.e. coexistence of under and over nutrition, is
an emerging issue in most of the low and middle-income countries of the world. Using
field survey data conducted in and around the city of Bangalore, India in 2018, we
examine the patterns of DBM among women, young children (0-6 years), older
children (7-18 years) and intrahousehold DBM between mother and children. A
unique aspect of the survey is that it is conducted in an area undergoing rapid
urbanization, which is one of the factors responsible for DBM and can inform on the
future of DBM in India. Compared to undernutrition, the prevalence of over-nutrition
is much higher in our study area. We find that, like other developing countries, the
socio-economic distance in prevalence of under and over nutrition among women has
decreased over time. Overnutrition among women is no longer an urban
phenomenon. Similar trends were observed for older children. For the younger
children, on the other hand, the socio-economic and locational differences persist,
suggesting that this age group is not witnessing nutritional transition yet.
Intrahousehold burden of DBM has also increased over time and the risk increases
with maternal education. Though under and over nutrition are opposite in nature,
both have several common drivers, suggesting a possibility of integrated approach to
tackle DBM. Several existing programmes in India such as ICDS, PDS, school meal
program provide excellent infrastructure to roll out policies and interventions,
especially diet-based programmes, aimed at both under and over nutrition.
an emerging issue in most of the low and middle-income countries of the world. Using
field survey data conducted in and around the city of Bangalore, India in 2018, we
examine the patterns of DBM among women, young children (0-6 years), older
children (7-18 years) and intrahousehold DBM between mother and children. A
unique aspect of the survey is that it is conducted in an area undergoing rapid
urbanization, which is one of the factors responsible for DBM and can inform on the
future of DBM in India. Compared to undernutrition, the prevalence of over-nutrition
is much higher in our study area. We find that, like other developing countries, the
socio-economic distance in prevalence of under and over nutrition among women has
decreased over time. Overnutrition among women is no longer an urban
phenomenon. Similar trends were observed for older children. For the younger
children, on the other hand, the socio-economic and locational differences persist,
suggesting that this age group is not witnessing nutritional transition yet.
Intrahousehold burden of DBM has also increased over time and the risk increases
with maternal education. Though under and over nutrition are opposite in nature,
both have several common drivers, suggesting a possibility of integrated approach to
tackle DBM. Several existing programmes in India such as ICDS, PDS, school meal
program provide excellent infrastructure to roll out policies and interventions,
especially diet-based programmes, aimed at both under and over nutrition.
File(s)
No Thumbnail Available
Name
2020_world rev nutr diet_vollmer_mittal_ authors postprint.pdf
Size
405.65 KB
Checksum (MD5)
aa6e5142b44288d0a97a29665defca41
