The double burden of malnutrition (2014)

The aims of this thesis were to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition (overweight, stunting, wasting and underweight) among children, to assess food insecurity and its effects on maternal and child malnutrition, to assess physical activity, water turnover and body composition and their impact on maternal nutrition and to assess physical activity and food insecurity among pregnant women and their impact on pregnancy outcomes. In conclusion, food insecurity is still rampant in Kenya in spite of the progress made in economic developments, food production and infrastructure. As a result of food insecurity, under-nutrition has continued to persist especially among children under five years old. In addition, overweight is emerging as a threat to progress made in the area of food access resulting in a double burden of malnutrition. Overweight combined with under-nutrition poses a challenge both to researchers and policy makers as they exist within the same community, among individuals and in the same households. Women and children are the most affected by the double burden of malnutrition. The consequences of the double burden of malnutrition are far-reaching and the end result may be disability or death. Interventions need to be put in place urgently to curb the rising overweight and the persisting under-nutrition.