Co-existence of maternal overweight and obesity with childhood undernutrition in rural and urban communities of Lagos State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

The coexistence of over-nutrition and under-nutrition is emerging as a public health problem in many low and middle income countries. This study aimed at determining prevalence of coexisting maternal overweight and obesity with childhood stunting (MOCS) and the associated socio-demographic factors in rural and urban communities of Lagos State, Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional survey conducted using the multistage random sampling technique. A total of 300 mother-child pairs were studied, consisting of 150 each from rural and urban communities. Maternal overweight and obesity and undernutrition in children were determined using standard criteria.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among mothers was significantly higher in urban than rural areas (50.7% vs. 41.3%; p=0.022) while the prevalence of childhood stunting was significantly higher in rural than urban areas (43.3% 12.6%; p<0.001). Coexisting maternal overweight and obesity with childhood stunting was observed in 31 (10.3%) mother-child pair with a significantly higher prevalence in rural than urban areas (14.7% vs. 6.0%, p=0.014). In multivariate logistic regression, maternal short stature (OR 3.3, 95% CI=1.2-9.0, p=0.02) and living in rural area (OR 0.2, 95% CI=0.1-0.5, p=0.001) were the identified risk factors for coexisting maternal overweight and obesity with childhood stunting.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of coexisting MOCS is high especially in rural areas. Effort at reducing childhood malnutrition should focus on appropriate interventional measures aimed at improving maternal nutritional status.