Does maternal overnutrition carry child undernutrition in India?

Abstract

Background and objectives Studies in low-and middle-income countries where nutrition transition is underway provides mixed evidence of double burden of maternal overnutrition and child undernutrition among mother-child pairs. Shifting dietary pattern and rapid increase in overweight/obesity among adults with persistent child undernutrition indicate that India is experiencing nutrition transition and double burden of malnutrition. Hence, the study explores the presence of and the factors associated with mother-child dyads of over- and undernutrition in India. Methods and materials The study uses National Family Health Survey 2015–16 data. The analytic sample consists of 28,817 weighted mother-child pairs where an overweight/obese mother is paired with an undernourished child. The nutritional status of children is defined according to WHO 2006 child growth standards as underweight (i.e., low weight-for-age), stunting (i.e., low height-for-age) and wasting (i.e., low weight-for-height). Maternal overweight/obesity (i.e., BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) is defined using adult BMI criterion. Descriptive, bivariate, and adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis are conducted. Results Of the overweight/obese mothers, 21.3%, 26.5%, and 14% have underweight, stunted, and wasted children respectively. In adjusted models, maternal short stature (aOR: 2.94, 95% CI: 2.30–3.75), age of child (aOR: 3.29, 95% CI: 2.76–3.92), and poorest wealth status (aOR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.59–2.54) are significant predictors of overweight/obese mothers and stunted child pairs. Similarly, poor wealth status (aOR: 1.68, 95% CI:1.32–2.14), maternal stature (aOR: 2.70, 95% CI: 2.08–3.52), and child aged 2–5 years (aOR: 1.77, 95% CI:1.51–2.08) are also significantly associated with higher occurrence of overweight/obese mother and-underweight child pairs. Conclusion Findings of the study are consistent with the phase of nutrition transition and double burden of malnutrition. The paper concludes with suggestions to improve the socioeconomic condition, more strategic nutrition specific investments and policy interventions to eliminate all forms of malnutrition for achieving SDGs.

Mother–child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa

“…That is, children born to tall overweight or obese mothers were less likely to be stunted, wasted, or underweight. Similar findings have been reported in a study that was conducted in India [ 24 ] where a mother’s short stature was associated with a higher risk of OWOBM-SUWC. The result also aligns with that of Mahmudiono et al [ 35 ] who asserted that maternal height significantly predicts a DBM.…”

“…Overweight/obesity among mothers was assessed by dividing the weight of the mother by the height squared and the resulting outcome was expressed as kilograms/meter 2 (kg/m 2 ). Based on the WHO’s standard [ 21 ] and those of previous studies [ 24 – 28 ] for body mass index (BMI) cut-off points: underweight, < 18.5 kg/m 2 ; normal weight, 18.5–25 kg/m 2 ; overweight, 25.0–29.9 kg/m 2 ; and obese, ≥ 30.0 kg/m 2 , we categorized mothers whose BMI was ≥ 25.0 kg/m 2 as overweight/obese and those whose BMI was < 25.0 kg/m 2 as not overweight/obese. We coded each of the four Variables into “0 = normal” and “1 = ’stunted’, ‘1 = underweight’; ‘1 = wasted’, and ‘1 = overweight/obese’, respectively.…”

“…We coded each of the four Variables into “0 = normal” and “1 = ’stunted’, ‘1 = underweight’; ‘1 = wasted’, and ‘1 = overweight/obese’, respectively. Following this coding, an exclusive mother–child pair of an overweight or obese mother (OWOBM) with a stunted child (OWOBM-SC), OWOBM with an underweight child (OWOBM-UC), OWOBM with a wasted child (OWOBM-WC), and OWOBM with any form of child’s undernutrition indicators (OWOBM-SUWC) were created and used as the outcome measures [ 24 ].…”

Implementing International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Nutrition Checklist for Pregnant Women: Opportunities and Challenges in Low- and Middle-income Countries

“…3,4 The prevalence of this triple burden phase of nutrition transition is because of qualitative and quantitative changes in dietary patterns and behaviors, along with other factors such as physical activity, age, education, and family wealth status. 2,[5][6][7] The consequences of any form of malnutrition are manifold during pregnancy as nutrition plays a crucial role in determining the health of a mother as well as the fetus. 8,9 Over the years, the Government of India (GoI) has launched various initiatives which aim at improving the nutrition status of pregnant women in the country.…”

Quality and Nutrient Loss in the Cooking Vegetable and Its Implications for Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia: A Review

“…98 Children of illiterate mothers are three times more likely to be malnourished than children of mothers who study in the adult group, and adult mothers have 34% fewer children than illiterate mothers. 99 Thus, nutritional facts emphasize creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking as important factors, and good nutrition ensures that students come to school ready to learn, and children who are food insecure are more likely to miss and fail grades than children who are food secure. 100 Food insecurity has been shown to reduce children's chances of graduating from high school, and therefore, properly and expertly prepared vegetables can enhance their performance.…”