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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Gender and adult undernutrition in developing countries
1Centre for World Food Studies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.nube@sow.vu.nl
Annals of Human Biology
|September 10, 2003
Summary
Undernutrition prevalence is similar in adult men and women in developing countries. However, South/Southeast Asia shows higher rates in women, suggesting potential female deprivation and the need for gender-specific policies.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Socioeconomic Determinants of Health
Background:
- Undernutrition data in developing countries predominantly focuses on women, with limited systematic information on male undernutrition.
- Existing literature suggests potential differences in undernutrition prevalence between adult men and women, particularly in South Asia, but lacks comprehensive data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare undernutrition prevalence, defined by low body mass index (BMI < 18.5), between adult men and women in developing countries.
- To conduct a regional analysis comparing undernutrition rates across Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Main Methods:
- Utilized anthropometric data from 75 samples across 31 developing countries.
- Data collection involved both adult men and women within the same communities to allow for direct comparison.
Main Results:
- Overall, undernutrition prevalence rates were found to be similar between adult men and women.
- Regional variations exist: Sub-Saharan Africa showed slightly higher rates in men, while South/Southeast Asia exhibited higher rates in women.
- Significant disparities in undernutrition prevalence between genders were observed in some communities.
Conclusions:
- Data on female undernutrition can serve as a general proxy for overall adult undernutrition (men and women combined).
- The higher prevalence of undernutrition among women in South/Southeast Asia compared to men supports the concept of female deprivation in the region.
- Gender-specific interventions are recommended where substantial differences in undernutrition prevalence between men and women are identified.
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