Mother–child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Okyere Joshua , Donkoh Irene Esi , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Aboagye Richard Gyan , Yaya Sanni 
Published: January 2024

Background

Malnutrition remains one of the major public health concerns globally. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 which seeks to ensure that hunger and malnutrition are reduced by 2030, it is imperative to ascertain the factors influencing their occurrence. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with mother–child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Demographic and Health Survey data from 25 sub-Saharan African countries were used for the study. The sample was made up of 125,280 mother–child dyads. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of 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). Multilevel regression models were developed to examine the factors associated with these indicators. The results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Higher likelihood of OWOBM-SUWC was found among women aged 45–49 [AOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.70, 2.85], those with primary [AOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21, 1.44] or secondary education [AOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09, 1.35], and divorced women [AOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.02, 1.73]. However, lower odds of OWOBM-SUWC were observed among women who were working [AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.76, 0.89] and those breastfeeding [AOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.70, 0.82]. The odds of OWOBM-SUWC was lower among females compared to male children [AOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.80, 0.90]. Compared to children aged <1 year, children of all other age groups were more likely to have OWOBM-SUWC. Other child characteristics significantly associated with OWOBM-SUWC were low birth weight [AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.32, 1.71], having diarrhea [AOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04, 1.24], and higher birth order [AOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.13, 1.66]. Children whose mothers used unimproved toilet facilities [AOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83, 0.98], those who lived in rural areas [AOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71, 0.87], and children from the Central [AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.46, 0.65], Eastern [AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.38, 0.52] and Western [AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65, 0.89] sub-Saharan Africa were less likely to have OWOBM-SUWC.

Conclusion

Combination of child, maternal, and contextual factors could explain mother–child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing this situation requires multidimensional policies and interventions that empower women through education and economic engagement. The observed sub-regional differences in policies and commitments related to addressing malnutrition suggest the need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts to implement and strengthen multisectoral comprehensive nutrition plans across sub-Saharan Africa. Sharing best practices and lessons learned can help improve the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of nutrition interventions and contribute to reducing the prevalence of malnutrition.