TY - JOUR

T1 - The double burden of malnutrition in individuals

T2 - Identifying key challenges and re-thinking research focus

AU - Kiosia, Agklinta

AU - Dagbasi, Aygul

AU - Berkley, James A.

AU - Wilding, John P.H.

AU - Prendergast, Andrew J.

AU - Li, Jia V.

AU - Swann, Jon

AU - Mathers, John C.

AU - Kerac, Marko

AU - Morrison, Douglas

AU - Drake, Lesley

AU - Briend, Andre

AU - Maitland, Kathryn

AU - Frost, Gary

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Nutrition Bulletin published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Nutrition Foundation.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The ‘double burden of malnutrition’ is a global health challenge that increasingly affects populations in both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This phenomenon refers to the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight or obesity, as well as other diet-related non-communicable diseases, in the same population, household or even individual. While noteworthy progress has been made in reducing undernutrition in some parts of the world, in many of these areas, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, particularly in urban areas, resulting in greater numbers of people who were undernourished in childhood and have overweight or obesity in adulthood. This creates a complex and challenging situation for research experts and policymakers who must simultaneously address the public health burdens of undernutrition and overweight/obesity. This review identifies key challenges and limitations in the current research on the double burden of malnutrition in individuals, including the need for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the drivers of malnutrition, the importance of context-specific interventions and the need for greater attention to the food environment and food systems. We advocate for the re-evaluation of research strategies and focus, with a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary and systems approaches and greater attention to the synergistic relationship between the biological, environmental, commercial and socio-economic determinants of malnutrition. Addressing these key challenges can enable us to better comprehend and tackle the multifaceted and dynamic issues of the double burden of malnutrition, particularly in individuals and work towards more effective and sustainable solutions.

AB - The ‘double burden of malnutrition’ is a global health challenge that increasingly affects populations in both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This phenomenon refers to the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight or obesity, as well as other diet-related non-communicable diseases, in the same population, household or even individual. While noteworthy progress has been made in reducing undernutrition in some parts of the world, in many of these areas, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, particularly in urban areas, resulting in greater numbers of people who were undernourished in childhood and have overweight or obesity in adulthood. This creates a complex and challenging situation for research experts and policymakers who must simultaneously address the public health burdens of undernutrition and overweight/obesity. This review identifies key challenges and limitations in the current research on the double burden of malnutrition in individuals, including the need for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the drivers of malnutrition, the importance of context-specific interventions and the need for greater attention to the food environment and food systems. We advocate for the re-evaluation of research strategies and focus, with a greater emphasis on multidisciplinary and systems approaches and greater attention to the synergistic relationship between the biological, environmental, commercial and socio-economic determinants of malnutrition. Addressing these key challenges can enable us to better comprehend and tackle the multifaceted and dynamic issues of the double burden of malnutrition, particularly in individuals and work towards more effective and sustainable solutions.

KW - adults

KW - children

KW - double burden of malnutrition

KW - low to middle-income countries

KW - obesity

KW - undernutrition

U2 - 10.1111/nbu.12670

DO - 10.1111/nbu.12670

M3 - Review

C2 - 38576109

AN - SCOPUS:85189953996

VL - 49

SP - 132

EP - 145

JO - Nutrition Bulletin

JF - Nutrition Bulletin

SN - 1471-9827

IS - 2

ER -