Multilevel analysis of unhealthy bodyweight among women in Malawi: Does urbanisation matter?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Underweight and overweight constitute unhealthy bodyweight and their coexistence is symptomatic of the dual burden of malnutrition (DBM) of high public health concern in many sub-Saharan Africa countries. Little is known about DBM and its correlates in Malawi, a country undergoing urbanisation. The study examined net effects of urban residence on unhealthy weights amidst individual- and community-level factors among women in Malawi.

Methods

Data on 7231 women aged 15-49 years nested within 850 communities extracted from 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey were analysed. Women's weight status measured by body mass index, operationally categorised as underweight, normal and overweight, was the outcome variable while urban-rural residence was the main explan

SUBMITTER: Afolabi RF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8006991 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature