Changing patterns of under- and over-nutrition in South African children-future risks of non-communicable diseases

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Champaklal C Jinabhai1, Myra Taylor, Keith R Sullivan

  • 1Department of Community Health, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

South African children show concerning rates of both undernutrition (stunting, wasting) and overnutrition (overweight, obesity). This dual burden indicates a changing nutritional landscape requiring urgent intervention to prevent future non-communicable diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood malnutrition in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, presents a complex challenge.
  • Previous studies have documented varying degrees of under- and over-nutrition in different child populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of under- and over-nutrition in children in KwaZulu-Natal.
  • To compare nutritional status across different datasets and age groups.
  • To identify trends and potential shifts in nutritional patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of secondary data from four studies: National Schools Study, Vitamin A Consultative Group Study, Income Dynamics Study, and a primary dataset from a rural district.
  • Assessment of stunting and wasting using WHO/NCHS guidelines.
  • Evaluation of overweight and obesity using International Obesity Task Force guidelines.
  • Comparison of nutritional indicators in children aged 4-5 and 8-11 years.

Main Results:

  • Moderate stunting (10-25%), wasting (1-6%), overweight (5-24%), and obesity (1-10%) were observed.
  • Girls exhibited a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to boys.
  • Boys showed a significantly higher prevalence of stunting and wasting.
  • An increasing trend in overweight and obesity was noted across both age groups.

Conclusions:

  • Co-existing stunting and overweight/obesity suggest a nutritional transition in South African children.
  • Urgent public health action is needed to address this dual burden of malnutrition.
  • Interventions should focus on preventing future non-communicable diseases associated with changing nutritional patterns.

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