[Double burden malnutrition during growth: is becoming a reality in Colombia?]

Several reports have described in the last decade the coexistence of accelerated increase of obesity with micronutrient deficiencies in developed countries, and is becoming evident in developing nations. This condition may be especially deleterious in children and adolescents with consequences in metabolic risk and growth since early in life. This review describes the evidence of double burden malnutrition during growth period focused on six nutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, sodium, folic acid and vitamin B12) and its biological mechanisms associated with non-communicable disease through span life. In Colombia, according to the last national health and nutrition surveys (2005 vs. 2010), there is an increase in the prevalence of obesity in all age groups; that is accompanied with alarming figures of zinc and vitamin A deficiency and anemia in children under 5 years. This reality of double burden malnutrition should be considered urgently on the public health agenda, implementing robust strategies adapted to the reality of the country based on scientific evidence to prevent mobility and mortality associated with this condition.