| A household-based survey of double burden of malnutrition in women of reproductive age in Morocco |
| Paper ID : 1213-IGA |
| Authors |
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Abdourahmane Fall *1, Meryem Lazrak1, Houda El Hsaini1, Laila El Ammari2, Hasnae Gamih3, Abdelhakim Yahyane3, Abdelaziz Benjouad1, Hassan Aguenaou4 1International University of Rabat 2Ministry of Health and Social Protection 3Population Department, Ministry of Health and Social Protection 4Joint Research Unit on Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN |
| Abstract |
| Background and Aim : The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a major challenge for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Morocco, at individual level, understanding of the phenomenon remains limited. Data from latest national survey indicate that women of reproductive age (WRA) are affected by various forms of malnutrition, 61.3% are overweight/obese (with 30.4% classified as obese), 34.4% are anemic, and 49.7% had iron-deficiency anemia. The objective is to determine the prevalence of DBM, defined as the coexistence, at individual level of undernutrition (iron-deficiency, anemia, and iron-deficiency anemia) and overweight/obesity among WRA in Morocco. Methods : This study was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey with data collected on individual parameters, anthropometric measurements and blood samples. Biological analyses focused on hemoglobin, ferritin and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). A total sample of 2090 WRA was included in this study. Results : In Morocco, among WRA, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was 60.2%, iron-deficiency 30.7%, anemia 34.5% and iron-deficiency anemia 50.0%. The coexistence of overweight/obesity and anemia, overweight/obesity and iron-deficiency, in same individual, was observed in 19.4% (p= 0.03) and 17.0% (p= 0.04) of cases respectively. However, among overweight/obese women, 32.3% (p= 0.18) were anemic and 28.4% (p= 0.84) were iron deficient. contrastly, 30.8% (p= 0.01) of overweight/obese and anemic women were iron-deficient. A comparison of areas of residence showed that urban areas were more affected by DBM. Conclusion : The DBM among women of reproductive age reveals an emerging reality of interconnectedness and simultaneous coexistence, at individual level, of undernutrition and overnutrition. This phenomenon, observed on a global scale and affecting millions of individuals, has significant implications within households and for the population as a whole, consequences of which include the loss of human capital and a potential impact on slowdown in economic growth. |
| Keywords |
| Malnutrition, Overweight, Obesity, Anemia, Iron-deficiency |
| Status: Accepted |
