The double burden of obesity and malnutrition in a protracted emergency setting: a cross-sectional study of Western Sahara refugees.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Households from vulnerable groups experiencing epidemiological transitions are known to be affected concomitantly by under-nutrition and obesity. Yet, it is unknown to what extent this double burden affects refugee populations dependent on food assistance. We assessed the double burden of malnutrition among Western Sahara refugees living in a protracted emergency.

Methods and findings

We implemented a stratified nutrition survey in October-November 2010 in the four Western Sahara refugee camps in Algeria. We sampled 2,005 households, collecting anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference) in 1,608 children (6-59 mo) and 1,781 women (15-49 y). We estimated the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM), stunting, underweight, and overwei

SUBMITTER: Grijalva-Eternod CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3462761 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature