Worldwide prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition in children and adolescents at the individual level: systematic review and meta-regression.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) at the individual level in children and adolescents through a comprehensive literature review.

Sources: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for articles published up until September 9, 2022. Studies reporting individual-level DBM in children and adolescents were included, and meta-regression models were used to investigate potential causes of heterogeneity across studies.

Summary of the findings: Of the 784 articles initially retrieved, 11 met the inclusion criteria. The overweight/obesity prevalence ranges from 8.1 % to 37.0 %, and the undernutrition (stunting, micronutrient deficiency, or anemia) from 4.2 % and 73.0 %. The prevalence of DBM ranged from 1 % to 35.4 %, with the highest rates observed in low- and middle-income countries. Among children, Asia reported the highest DBM prevalence, while in adolescents, Latin America had the highest rates. The review revealed significant variability in DBM prevalence across studies, with a notable increase in research on this topic over the past decade (2013-2022).

Conclusion: These findings underscore the concerning global prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition in children and adolescents, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Standardized definitions and methods are urgently needed to improve comparability, along with further research to identify the specific drivers of DBM and inform effective prevention strategies. CRD42022333424.