Intra-Individual double burden of overweight and anemia among women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64707/revstss.v49i1.2045Keywords:
Double fardeau de malnutrition, Anémie, Obésité, Femmes en âge de procréer, Burkina Faso, Enquête Démographique et de Santé.Abstract
Background
The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), defined as the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight in the same individual, is an emerging challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In Burkina Faso, where anemia affects 28.0% of women and obesity 11.0%, few studies have examined the determinants of their co-occurrence. This study aims to determine whether this DBM occurs at random or follows a specific sociodemographic pattern.
Methods
We analyzed data from 7,987 women aged 15–49 years from the Burkina Faso DHS-V survey. DBM was defined as the simultaneous presence of anemia (hemoglobin level, Hb < 12.0 g/dL) and overweight/obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m²). Analyses accounted for the complex survey design and included multivariable logistic regression.
Results
DBM was present in 10.5% of women of reproductive age. Compared with women in the poorest wealth quintile, those in the richest quintile had a higher likelihood of DBM (aOR = 3.85; 95% CI: 2.46–6.04). Age was positively associated with DBM (aOR = 6.54; 95% CI: 4.89–8.75) among women aged 35 years and older compared to the youngest group (<25 years), while rural residence was modestly protective (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.53–0.90).
Conclusion
DBM combining anemia and overweight/obesity affects one in ten women of reproductive age. It varies according to sociodemographic characteristics, particularly wealth status, age, and place of residence. These findings highlight population-level disparities and call for further research to better understand its determinants.
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