Understanding Sex Differences in Childhood Undernutrition: A Narrative Review

Mortality risk in infants receiving therapeutic care for malnutrition: A secondary analysis

Small and nutritionally at-risk infants aged under 6 months (<6 months) are at high risk of death, but important evidence gaps exist on how to best identify them. We aimed to determine associations between anthropometric deficits and mortality among infants <6 months admitted to inpatient therapeutic care. A secondary analysis of 2002-2008 data included 5034 infants aged <6 months from 12 countries. We estimated the prevalence, concurrence, and severity of wasted, stunted, and underweight, as stand-alone indicators, and using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF), which combines these indicators into six subgroups of single and multiple anthropometric deficits and into one combined indicator called CIAF. We used logistic regression to examine the association of different anthropometric deficits with in-programme mortality. Among 3692 infants aged <6 months with complete data, 3539 (95.8%) were underweight, 3058 (82.8%) were wasted, 2875 (77.8%) were stunted and 3575 (96.8%) had CIAF. Infants with multiple anthropometric deficits were presented with significantly lower anthropometric indices, that is, they were more severely wasted, stunted and underweight. A total of 141 infants died during inpatient therapeutic care. Among these, severely wasted (116) and severely underweight (138) infants had higher odds of mortality than normal infants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.7, p = 0.009, and OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 0.8-13.6, p = 0.09, respectively). Boys had higher odds of inpatient mortality than girls (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02-1.92, p = 0.03). Mortality was only observed in infants <6 months presenting multiple anthropometric deficits, although their odds of mortality were not significant, for example, OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 0.5-10.0, p = 0.21 for stunted, wasted and underweight infants <6 months. In conclusion, multiple anthropometric deficits (CIAF) is common among infants <6 months and may be reported in nutrition care programmes and surveys. Both weight-for-length/height z-score and weight-for-age z-score were found to be useful indicators for programme admission and in-programme prognosis. Future work needs to explore which better accounts for admission bias. Boys appear to be most at-risk of dying while receiving malnutrition therapeutic care. Programmes should ensure that all infants receive timely, evidence-based, effective care.

The Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Child and Maternal Malnutrition: 1990-2019

OBJECTIVE

With this study, we aimed to estimate the disease burden attributable to child and maternal malnutrition (CMM) throughout the world between 1990 and 2019.

METHODS

The number, age-standardized rate, population attributable fraction of deaths, disability-adjusted life-years, years of life lost, and years lived with disability associated with CMM were estimated using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 by age, sex, year, location, and sociodemographic index at the global level. The slope index of inequality and concentration index were employed to measure socioeconomic-related health inequalities across countries.

RESULTS

The number (million) of global deaths, disability-adjusted life-years, and years of life lost related to CMM were 2.9, 294.8, and 250.5 in 2019, showing decreases of 60.8, 57.4, and 60.7% since 1990. However, the number of years lived with CMM-related disability increased from 36.0 in 1990 to 44.3 in 2019. Additionally, the age-standardized rates of these 4 indicators showed varying degrees of decline. The global burden of CMM-related conditions differed with age and sex. The burden was the heaviest in western sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Chad. In terms of diseases, neonatal disorders represented the most significant burden attributed to CMM. Additionally, the CMM burden was more concentrated in regions with low sociodemographic indices, shown by the slope index of inequality and concentration index.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study highlight the ongoing global burden of CMM, particularly in terms of years lived with disability. Population-wide actions targeting the effective treatment and relief of CMM may reduce the CMM-related disease burden.

Determinants of concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6 to 23 mo in Indonesia

OBJECTIVES

Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) in a child is a health problem that leads to detrimental effects. However, to our knowledge, there is limited research regarding the prevalence and determinants of WaSt, including in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of WaSt in children 6 to 23 mo of age.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with data sets from the Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey (INSS). Data was collected between January and December 2021. About 15 641 children, ages 23 mo, were included. A χ2 analysis examined the association between the dependent and independent variables. A multivariate test analyzed the risk for the independent variable to the dependent, seen through the adjusted odds ratio (aOR).

RESULTS

The prevalence of WaSt was 2.4%. Higher odds for WaSt were seen in the following: • Boys: 2.15 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-2.68); • Children ages 12 to 23 mo 3.15 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.25); • Those with low birth weight 3.11 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.15) • Those with small birth size: 2 times (95% CI, 1.59-2.54) • Babies born from mothers >35 y of age: 1.5 times (95% CI, 1.19-1.89); • Children who experienced infection: 1.43 times (95% CI, 1.16-1.76); • Children not using the Integrated Health and Nutrition Services (Posyandu): 1.17 times (95% CI; 1.29-2.27); • Children from middle- income families:2.54 times higher odds (95% CI, 1.75-3.7); and • Children from rural areas: 1.37 times (95% CI, 1.1-1.71).

CONCLUSION

WaSt is associated with multiple factors in Indonesia. Hence, policymakers need to address this problem comprehensively.

Children's sex composition and modern contraceptive use among mothers in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

The stagnation and relatively low use of modern contraceptives are ongoing public health concerns in Bangladesh and other low- and middle-income countries. Although a cultural preference for sons may be linked to the current use of contraceptives, this linkage has not been adequately explored in the Bangladesh context. We investigated the effects of child sex composition on the current use of modern contraceptives.

METHODS

We extracted and analysed data from 17,333 women who participated in the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The outcome variable was the current use of modern contraceptive methods. The study factor was the parity and sex composition of the living children. We used multilevel logistic regressions to determine the association between the study factor and outcome variables, adjusting for potential covariates at the individual-, household-, and community-levels.

RESULTS

Women with relatively high parity had higher odds of currently using modern contraceptives. Among the individual parities, compared to women with no live sons, women with one or more live sons were more likely to report currently using modern contraceptives. However, this association is significant for women up to three children. When examining both parity and children's sex composition in a regression model, in each parity category, the likelihood of using modern contraceptives tend to rise with an increasing number of sons compared to women with just one daughter.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that while the use of modern contraceptives by women increases with the increasing number of children and son preference is prevalent in Bangladesh, women also want to have a mixed composition of son and daughter. The study findings can be used in family planning programmes to customise contraceptive promotion and counselling messages.

The epidemiology and associated factors of non-exclusive breastfeeding: a comparative cross-sectional study of livelihood-secure and insecure areas

Introduction

Regardless of national commitment, non-exclusive breastfeeding (NEBF) is a public health problem that worsens over time. It can be associated with sociodemographic, economic, and environmental factors and may vary depending on livelihood security. Hence, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of NEBF and identify its associated factors by considering two areas with varied degrees of livelihood security.

Methods

This study represented a comparative cross-sectional survey of 1,060 under 6 months (u6m) infant-mother pairs. Both descriptive and analytic statistics were evaluated using STATA version 17 packages. A binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of NEBF. The odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the significance of the association at a p-value of <0.05.

Results

The pooled magnitude of 51% of NEBF mothers (95% CI: 48.0, 54.0) was 53.1% (95% CI: 49.2, 57.0) and 48.1% (95% CI: 43.4, 52.8) in livelihood-secure and livelihood-insecure areas, respectively. The lack of recollecting the infant's birth date by mothers (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.15-4.40) had the highest odds of NEBF while household heads with tertiary education (AOR = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.01-0.54) and the poorest households (AOR = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.20-0.82) had the lowest odds of NEBF in livelihood-secure areas but not in livelihood-insecure areas. Moreover, mothers with male infants (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.18-2.92) had high odds of NEBF in livelihood-insecure areas but not in livelihood-secure areas. Infants of 2 to less than 4-month-old (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI = 3.47-18.63) and 4 to less than 6-month-old (AOR = 22.2; 95% CI = 8.02-51.97) in livelihood-secure areas and infants of 2 to less than 4-month-old (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI = 1.29-11.67) and 4 to less than 6-month-old (AOR = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.44-22.39) in livelihood-insecure areas had high odds of NEBF.

Conclusion

Over half of the mothers were practicing NEBF, which represents a failure to meet national and international targets. Area vulnerability to livelihood security modifies factors of NEBF. Male infants in insecure areas, infants of unknown age in secure areas, and infants aged 2 months or older, regardless of setting, were more vulnerable to NEBF. However, households with the lowest wealth and higher household head educational status in livelihood-secure areas were less vulnerable to NEBF. Hence, livelihood-based interventions targeting mothers of 2 to less than 6-month-old infants, with emphasis on these factors, may help address and reduce NEBF.

Effect of high-calorie formula on weight, height increment, IGF-1 and TLC in growth faltering children: A quasi-experimental study

High-calorie formulas have been used to promote catch-up growth in undernourished children. The level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is closely related to weight and nutritional intake, whereas low a total lymphocyte count (TLC) is associated with impaired immune system function in undernourished children. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of high-calorie formula as an intervention on weight, height increment, IGF-1 and TLC in children with growth faltering or undernutrition. A quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-design was conducted in the outpatient clinic of a private hospital during October 2021-July 2022 on children with growth failure and underlying infection. For 90 days, subjects were given a high-calorie formula. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was then conducted to measure IGF-1, followed by a complete blood count examination. Subjects were divided into two groups based on age: Group 1 (12-24 months) and Group 2 (>24-60 months). There was a significant increment in body weight and body length/height after intervention but no significant difference between the groups. The increment of body length/height after intervention was greater in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.000) and reduced the incidence of stunted/severely stunted and wasted/severely wasted children (p > 0.05). IGF-1 increased after the intervention but with no significant difference (1.42 ± 8.31 ng/ml; p = 0.144). There was a significant reduction in TLC after the intervention (1194.34 + 4400.34 cells/mm3; p = 0.002) that was reduced in Group 1 and slightly increased in Group 2 (p = 0.003). Being underweight/severely underweight increased the risk of a low TLC by 27.658-fold but this risk was reduced by 25.904-fold after nutritional intervention. High-calorie formula intervention increases body weight and body length/height, reduces the incidence of underweight, stunted and wasted children and improves IGF-1 levels.

Childhood growth during recovery from acute illness in Africa and South Asia: a secondary analysis of the childhood acute illness and nutrition (CHAIN) prospective cohort

Background

Growth faltering is well-recognized during acute childhood illness and growth acceleration during convalescence, with or without nutritional therapy, may occur. However, there are limited recent data on growth after hospitalization in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods

We evaluated growth following hospitalization among children aged 2-23 months in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Between November 2016 and January 2019, children were recruited at hospital admission and classified as: not-wasted (NW), moderately-wasted (MW), severely-wasted (SW), or having nutritional oedema (NO). We describe earlier (discharge to 45-days) and later (45- to 180-days) changes in length-for-age [LAZ], weight-for-age [WAZ], mid-upper arm circumference [MUACZ], weight-for-length [WLZ] z-scores, and clinical, nutritional, and socioeconomic correlates.

Findings

We included 2472 children who survived to 180-days post-discharge: NW, 960 (39%); MW, 572 (23%); SW, 682 (28%); and NO, 258 (10%). During 180-days, LAZ decreased in NW (-0.27 [-0.36, -0.19]) and MW (-0.23 [-0.34, -0.11]). However, all groups increased WAZ (NW, 0.21 [95% CI: 0.11, 0.32]; MW, 0.57 [0.44, 0.71]; SW, 1.0 [0.88, 1.1] and NO, 1.3 [1.1, 1.5]) with greatest gains in the first 45-days. Of children underweight (<-2 WAZ) at discharge, 66% remained underweight at 180-days. Lower WAZ post-discharge was associated with age-inappropriate nutrition, adverse caregiver characteristics, small size at birth, severe or moderate anaemia, and chronic conditions, while lower LAZ was additionally associated with household-level exposures but not with chronic medical conditions.

Interpretation

Underweight and poor linear growth mostly persisted after an acute illness. Beyond short-term nutritional supplementation, improving linear growth post-discharge may require broader individual and family support.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationOPP1131320; National Institute for Health ResearchNIHR201813.

Underweight in the first 2 years of life and nutrition risk in later childhood: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Children with underweight in the first 2 years have lower body mass index z-score (zBMI) and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) in later childhood. It is not known if underweight in the first 2 years is associated with nutrition risk in later childhood.

OBJECTIVE

(1) Determine the relationship between underweight (zBMI < -2) in the first 2 years and nutrition risk measured by the Nutrition Screening for Toddlers and Preschoolers (NutriSTEP) score from 18 months to 5 years. (2) Explore the relationship between underweight in the first 2 years and the NutriSTEP subscores for eating behaviours and dietary intake from 18 months to 5 years.

METHODS

This was a prospective study, including healthy full-term children in Canada aged 0-5 years. zBMI was calculated using measured heights and weights and the WHO growth standards. NutriSTEP score was measured using a parent-completed survey and ranged from 0 to 68. Nutrition risk was defined as a score ≥21. Linear mixed effects models were used.

RESULTS

Four thousand nine hundred twenty-nine children were included in this study. At enrolment, 51.9% of participants were male. The prevalence of underweight children was 8.8%. Underweight in the first 2 years was associated with higher NutriSTEP (0.79, 95% CI: 0.29,1.29), higher eating behaviour subscore (0.24, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.46) at 3 years and higher odds of nutrition risk (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07,1.82) at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with underweight in the first 2 years had higher nutrition risk in later childhood. Further research is needed to understand the factors which influence these relationships.

Determinants of child stunting in the dryland area of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia: insights from a national-level survey

Stunting remains a critical public health issue in Indonesia, particularly in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. This region, characterized by its archipelagic dryland geography, has reported the highest prevalence of stunting among children under five from 2007 to 2021. The study aimed to examine the relationship between various characteristics of children under five and household factors with the occurrence of stunting. This observational study, with a cross-sectional design, used secondary data from the 2021 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey, covering 7,835 children under five. We analyzed the data to identify patterns and relationships, using univariate analysis to display percentage distributions and bivariate analysis through multiple binary logistic regression tests. The results of the multiple logistic regression test showed that indicators of family characteristics such as age, gender, low birth weight, body length, possession of birth certificates, and receiving complementary feeding were all related to stunting. Additionally, household factors such as toilet type, National Health Insurance coverage, ownership of a Prosperous Family Card, and residential area were significant determinants. Factors contributing to stunting in dryland areas include a range of elements from both family characteristics-such as age, gender, birth certification, low birth weight, and initial body length, to the introduction of supplementary feeding-and household indicators, including the use of specific types of latrines (Plengsengan and Cemplung types without covers), health insurance coverage, possession of Prosperous Family Cards, and the family's residential area.

Microbiome function and neurodevelopment in Black infants: vitamin B12 emerges as a key factor

The early life gut microbiome affects the developing brain, and therefore may serve as a target to support neurodevelopment of children living in stressful and under-resourced environments, such as Black youth living on the South Side of Chicago, for whom we observe racial disparities in health. Microbiome compositions/functions key to multiple neurodevelopmental facets have not been studied in Black children, a vulnerable population due to racial disparities in health; thus, a subsample of Black infants living in urban, low-income neighborhoods whose mothers participated in a prenatal nutrition study were recruited for testing associations between composition and function of the gut microbiome (16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, and targeted metabolomics of fecal samples) and neurodevelopment (developmental testing, maternal report of temperament, and observed stress regulation). Two microbiome community types, defined by high Lachnospiraceae or Enterobacteriaceae abundance, were discovered in this cohort from 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis; the Enterobacteriaceae-dominant community type was significantly negatively associated with cognition and language scores, specifically in male children. Vitamin B12 biosynthesis emerged as a key microbiome function from shotgun metagenomics sequencing analysis, showing positive associations with all measured developmental skills (i.e., cognition, language, motor, surgency, effortful control, and observed stress regulation). Blautia spp. also were identified as substantial contributors of important microbiome functions, including vitamin B12 biosynthesis and related vitamin B12-dependent microbiome functions, anti-inflammatory microbial surface antigens, competitive mechanisms against pathobionts, and production of antioxidants. The results are promising with respect to the potential for exploring therapeutic candidates, such as vitamin B12 nutritional or Blautia spp. probiotic supplementation, to support the neurodevelopment of infants at risk for experiencing racial disparities in health.

Social predictors of breastfeeding and the impact of interventions on breastfeeding of preterm infants: A longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

The multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants include enhanced neurodevelopment and immune function in preterm infants. However, more research is needed to understand the unique factors affecting breastfeeding practices in preterm infants. This study aimed to identify key social predictors of breastfeeding in preterm infants and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions on their feeding practices during the first six months postpartum.

METHODS

A prospective, monocentric, longitudinal study involving a cohort of 201 preterm infants was executed at the Neonatology Department, Ceske Budejovice Hospital, Czech Republic, from January 2020 to January 2023. The STROBE guidelines were used.

RESULTS

The study results elucidated a transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and formula within the infants' first six months. Notable social predictors of breastfeeding encompassed factors such as the number of children in the household, the mother's marital status, and the nature of housing. Certain interventions, including immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and child, and initiation of nutritive feeding within the first half-hour post-birth, significantly influenced the probability of breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

The data underscored that social predictors and nursing interventions substantially shape the breastfeeding practices of preterm infants during the first six months postpartum. Inequities in health outcomes among premature infants can be effectively curbed through comprehensive care models that account for socioeconomic factors influencing breastfeeding.

The Tolerance Model of Non-Inflammatory Immune Competence in Acute Pediatric Malnutrition: Origins, Evidence, Test of Fitness and Growth Potential

The tolerance model rests on the thesis of a physiologically regulated, albeit unsustainable, systemic attempt to adapt to the catabolic challenge posed by acute prepubescent malnutrition even in its severe forms. The model centers on the immunological component of the attempt, positing reorientation toward a non-inflammatory form of competence in place of the classic paradigm of immunological attrition and exhaustion. The foundation of the model was laid in 1990, and sixteen years later it was articulated formally on the basis of a body of evidence centered on T cell cytokines and interventions with cytokine and hormonal mediators. The benefit originally suggested was a reduced risk of autoimmune pathologies consequent to the catabolic release of self-antigens, hence the designation highlighting immune tolerance. Herein, the emergence of the tolerance model is traced from its roots in the recognition that acute malnutrition elicits an endocrine-based systemic adaptive attempt. Thereafter, the growth of the evidence base supporting the model is outlined, and its potential to shed new light on existing information is tested by application to the findings of a published clinical study of acutely malnourished children. Finally, some knowledge gaps pertinent to the model are identified and its potential for growth consonant with evolving perceptions of immunobiology is illustrated.

Food insecurity and associated factors among households with under-5 children in slum communities in Ibadan, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

Food insecurity is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the prevalence of household food insecurity and its associated factors among under-5 children in Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional household survey of 1,027 under-5 children and their caregivers in urban and rural slums in Ibadan. We used an electronic interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to report sociodemo-economic characteristics, food insecurity, and anthropometric measurement. The household food insecurity scale consisted of nine questions graded from 0 (Never) to 3 (Often) computed to determine the presence of food insecurity. Nutrition indices were computed, and the results were classified according to World Health Organization 2006 cut-off points. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between food insecurity and the independent variables. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the predictors of food insecurity (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The mean ages of the caregivers and under-5 children were 31.7 ± 7.47 years and 34.49 ± 15.8 months respectively. Overall, 530 (51.7%) children were females, and 765 (74.5%) had normal weight for height. In all, 195 (19.0%) households had food insecurity, while 832 (81.0%) households had food security (Chi-square = 103.364, p = < 0.001). Under-5 children living in urban slums were seven times more likely to experience household food insecurity compared to those in rural slums (AOR = 6.859, 95%CI = 4.524-10.509, p = < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Household food insecurity was more prevalent in urban slums. Strengthening of the school health program would help identify children with nutritional deficits, and improve the overall health status of children living in slum communities.

Situational analysis of nutritional status among 1899 children presenting with cleft lip and/or palate in Indonesia

Background

Given the increased risk of malnutrition in children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), determining their nutritional status is critical for preventing adverse surgical risks. However, no such disaggregated, national-level data are available in Indonesia. We aimed to determine the nutritional status of patients with clefts in Indonesia and to identify problems and solutions for malnutrition cases within the population.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we considered records of individuals who underwent primary surgery for CLP in Smile Train-sponsored facilities in Indonesia between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 (n = 18 480). We only included children under the age of five with an evaluation date prior to admission date and excluded subjects with invalid data values. We classified their nutritional status by z-scores according to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standard (2006). Malnutrition cases cover four indicators - stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight. We compared the prevalence for malnutrition cases in children under the age of five using national health survey data.

Results

We included 1899 records following data validation. The national prevalence of stunting (24.4%), wasting (12.5%), and overweight cases (12.9%) was high, while underweight cases (6.8%) were comparatively low. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in nutritional status based on length/height-for-age between girls and boys aged 0-5 months (P = 0.008) and 48-60 months (P = 0.001), and based on body mass index-for-age (P = 0.000) between girls and boys aged 0-5 months. Girls in different age groups exhibited a statistically significant difference in nutritional status based on length/height-for-age (P = 0.002) and weight-for-age (P = 0.017). Concurrent stunting and overweight were the most common forms of concurrent malnutrition (8.7%). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of underweight (P = 0.001) and overweight (P = 0.000) cases between children with CLP and those without CLP.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the importance of nutritional interventions for children with orofacial clefts in Indonesia, and the importance of age and gender in their design and implementation. Further investigation is necessary to explore the risks of overweight and concurrent malnutrition among this population.

Gender-specific disaggregated analysis of childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia: evidence from 2000-2016 nationwide survey

INTRODUCTION

Childhood undernutrition has been investigated extensively in previous literature but gender inequality detailing the burden of undernutrition has not been adequately addressed in scientific papers, especially in Ethiopia, where undernutrition is known to be a public health problem of high significance, necessitating increased efforts to address it and reduce this inequality. This study was carried out to: (1) explore gender differences in the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight, and (2) compare the factors associated with childhood undernutrition between boys and girls in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The study used a dataset of more than 33,564 children aged under 5 years (boys: 17,078 and girls: 16,486) who were included in the nationally representative Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) from 2000 to 2016. The outcome variables were anthropometric indices: stunting (height-for-age < -2 standard deviations), wasting (weight-for-height < -2 standard deviations), and underweight (weight-for-age < -2 standard deviations). Gender-specific multilevel analyses were used to examine and compare the factors associated with child undernutrition.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of stunting (49.1% for boys vs 45.3% for girls, p < 0.001), wasting (11.9% for boys vs 9.9% for girls, p < 0.001), and underweight (33.1% for boys vs 29.8% for girls, p < 0.001) higher among boys compared to girls. Boys significantly had higher odds of stunting (aOR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.21-1.42), wasting (aOR: 1.35, 1.23-1.48), and underweight (aOR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.26-1.50) than girls. The common factors associated with childhood undernutrition for male and female children were the child's age, perceived size of the child at birth, breastfeeding status, maternal stature, maternal education, toilet facility, wealth index, and place of residence. Boys who were perceived by their mothers to be average sized at birth and were born to uneducated mothers had a higher likelihood of experiencing wasting, in contrast to girls. Among boys, birth order (firstborn), household size (1-4), and place of residence (urban) were associated with lower odds of being underweight. Boys living in cities had lower odds of being stunted. While girls born to mothers with no education and worked in agriculture were at a higher odd of being stunted.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that boys were more likely to be malnourished than girls, regardless of their age category, and there were variations in the factors determining undernutrition among boys and girls. The differences in the burden of undernutrition were significant and alarming, positioning Ethiopia to be questioned whether it will meet the set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 of zero hunger by 2030. These findings call for more effort to address malnutrition as a significant public health issue in Ethiopia, and to urgently recognise the need for enhanced interventions that address the gender gap in childhood undernutrition.

A multilevel analysis of the triple burden of malnutrition in Indonesia: trends and determinants from repeated cross-sectional surveys

BACKGROUND

Although child malnutrition has been reducing, the coexistence in mothers and children of various forms of malnutrition has continued to rise around the world. In the Indonesian context, a knowledge gap exists on the coexistence of multiple malnutrition burdens. This study examines trends in the coexistence of the triple burden of malnutrition (TBM) among mother-child pairs living in the same house and explores multilevel (individual, household, and community) factors associated with TBM in Indonesia.

METHODS

We used data from the 2013 and 2018 Indonesia Basic Health Research, the nationally representative survey of the Indonesian population, as repeated cross-sectional surveys. Study samples were mothers and children (0-59 months old), who resided in the same household and indicated by the same identifier number. The anthropometric measurements of the mothers and children, and the hemoglobin levels of the children were collected. We employed a multilevel mixed-effects model to consider the hierarchical data structure. The model captured the role of cluster, district, provincial differences, and the individual, household, community-level, and TBM status characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 3,891 mother-child pairs analyzed, 24.9% experienced TBM. Girls had 63% higher odds than boys of TBM (aOR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.03). Significantly lower odds were found in children of mothers who had a gestational age lower than 37 weeks (aOR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.94). At the household level, children with a father who had a high-school, primary-school, or no school education had significantly higher odds of TBM than children of fathers who had graduated from academy. Children of mothers who visited Antenatal Care (ANC) no more than 6 times had significantly lower odds (aOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.88). Children of mothers who consumed Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplements had significantly lower odds.

CONCLUSION

TBM is related to characteristics at not just the individual level but also the family and community levels. To achieve significant outcomes, integrated nutrition interventions in Indonesia should also consider family and community factors.

Causes and consequences of child growth faltering in low-resource settings

Growth faltering in children (low length for age or low weight for length) during the first 1,000 days of life (from conception to 2 years of age) influences short-term and long-term health and survival1,2. Interventions such as nutritional supplementation during pregnancy and the postnatal period could help prevent growth faltering, but programmatic action has been insufficient to eliminate the high burden of stunting and wasting in low- and middle-income countries. Identification of age windows and population subgroups on which to focus will benefit future preventive efforts. Here we use a population intervention effects analysis of 33 longitudinal cohorts (83,671 children, 662,763 measurements) and 30 separate exposures to show that improving maternal anthropometry and child condition at birth accounted for population increases in length-for-age z-scores of up to 0.40 and weight-for-length z-scores of up to 0.15 by 24 months of age. Boys had consistently higher risk of all forms of growth faltering than girls. Early postnatal growth faltering predisposed children to subsequent and persistent growth faltering. Children with multiple growth deficits exhibited higher mortality rates from birth to 2 years of age than children without growth deficits (hazard ratios 1.9 to 8.7). The importance of prenatal causes and severe consequences for children who experienced early growth faltering support a focus on pre-conception and pregnancy as a key opportunity for new preventive interventions.

Exposure to the 1959-1961 Chinese famine and risk of non-communicable diseases in later life: A life course perspective

Child undernutrition and later-life non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major global health issues. Literature suggests that undernutrition/famine exposure in childhood has immediate and long-term adverse health consequences. However, many studies have theoretical and methodological limitations. To add to the literature and overcome some of these limitations, we adopted a life course perspective and used more robust methods. We investigated the association between exposure to the 1959-1961 Chinese famine and later-life NCDs and if this association depends on: life stage at exposure, famine severity, and sex. We conducted a secondary data analysis of a large-scale, nationally representative, longitudinal study-the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2018, 11,094 participants). We measured famine exposure/severity using self-reported experience, life stage using age at exposure, and health using the number of NCDs. We performed Poisson growth curve models. We obtained three findings. First, compared with unexposed participants, those exposed before age 18 had a higher risk of later-life NCDs, particularly if exposed in-utero (IRR = 1.90, 95% CI [1.70, 2.12], p < .001) and in the "first 1,000 days" of life (IRR = 1.86, 95% CI [1.73, 2.00], p < .001; for 0-6 months group, IRR = 1.95, 95% CI [1.67, 2.29], p < .001). Second, the famine effects among participants moderately and severely exposed were similar (IRR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.09, 1.28], p < .001 and IRR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.17, 1.32], p < .001). Third, the famine effects did not differ between females and males (IRR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.90, 1.07], p = .703). In an individual's life course, in-utero and the "first 1,000 days" are a particularly sensitive time period with marked long-term implications for NCDs if undernutrition/famine is experienced in this period. However, this window remains open until young adulthood. This highlights the need to invest more in preventing and treating child/adolescent undernutrition to tackle later-life NCDs.

Contribution of home garden vegetables on reducing stunting among 6- to 23-month-old children in South Tigray, northern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to analyze the contribution of home garden vegetables in reducing stunting among 6- to 23-month-old children from South Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. The quasi-experimental study design was used. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the districts and study communities. A total of 94 purposively selected vegetable producer (intervention) households and 260 randomly selected non-producer (control) households were included in the study (1:3 ratio). The recumbent length of children was measured using horizontal wooden board to the nearest 0.1 cm. The length-for-age Z-scores were computed using WHO-Anthro 2006 software. Propensity score-matching and difference-in-difference (DID) estimates were used to analyze data using STATA software version 12. Prevalence of child stunting was 19.8 (12.7-29.4) and 21.1 (16.4-26.7)% (baseline) and 43.5 (33.5-54.1) and 46.5 (45.7-47.2)% (end line) among intervention and control groups, respectively. Child stunting was higher for boys and older children from both intervention and control households. DID estimation revealed that there was no significant difference in child stunting between intervention and control households (DID = 1.7, p = .604). However, there was an intervention effect of -0.5, 2.5, and 1.7% in the prevalence of child stunting among females, males, and both sexes, respectively. Vegetable production as an intervention strategy reduced the prevalence of stunting in children aged 6-23 months. However, vegetable production needs to be well integrated with other nutrition-sensitive interventions to realize the objective of reducing child stunting.

Anthropometric Indicators and Dietary Intake in Toddlers Aged from 12 to 24 Months Who Attended Private Clinics in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara

The objective was to evaluate the anthropometric indicators and dietary intake of toddlers attending private clinics in Guadalajara. In a cross-sectional study, 101 toddlers aged 12 to 24 months were included. They were born full term, had an adequate weight for gestational age, and attended private clinics in Guadalajara. Two 24 h dietary recalls were administered. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and anthropometric indices were estimated. Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and odds ratio were used for quantitative or qualitative variables. Males had lower Z scores for the weight/age index than females. During the week, energy intake was excessive in males [OR = 5.5 (95% CI 1.4, 20.8)], and cholesterol intake was insufficient in females [OR = 3.03 (95% CI 1.2, 7.1)]. On weekends, energy [OR = 2.5 (95% CI 1.1, 5.7)] and fiber intake [OR = 3.1 (95% CI 1.2, 7.8)] were insufficient in females. Most of the toddlers who attend the private clinics in the upper-middle socioeconomic stratum of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area had excessive protein intake, excessive consumption of added sugars was frequent, and there was insufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium. Sex was shown to be a factor influencing nutrient intake in these toddlers aged 12-24 months. Males had a Z-score of weight/age lower than females, suggesting nutritional risk.

When social identities intersect: understanding inequities in growth outcomes by religion- caste and religion-tribe as intersecting strata of social hierarchy for Muslim and Hindu children in India

BACKGROUND

Minority social status determined by religion, caste and tribal group affiliations, are usually treated as independent dimensions of inequities in India. This masks relative privileges and disadvantages at the intersections of religion-caste and religion-tribal group affiliations, and their associations with population health disparities.

METHODS

Our analysis was motivated by applications of the intersectionality framework in public health, which underlines how different systems of social stratification mutually inform relative access to material resources and social privilege, that are associated with distributions of population health. Based on this framework and using nationally representative National Family Health Surveys of 1992-93, 1998-99, 2005-06, 2015-16 and 2019-21, we estimated joint disparities by religion-caste and religion-tribe, for prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in children between 0-5 years of age. As indicators of long- and short-term growth interruptions, these are key population health indicators capturing developmental potential of children. Our sample included Hindu and Muslim children of <  = 5 years, who belonged to Other (forward) castes (the most privileged social group), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Schedule Castes (SCs) and Schedule Tribe (STs). Hindu-Other (forward) caste, as the strata with the dual advantages of religion and social group was specified as the reference category. We specified Log Poisson models to estimate multiplicative interactions of religion- caste and religion-tribe identities on risk ratio scales. We specified variables that may be associated with caste, tribe, or religion, as dimensions of social hierarchy, and/or with child growth as covariates, including fixed effects for states, survey years, child's age, sex, household urbanicity, wealth, maternal education, mother's height, and weight. We assessed patterns in growth outcomes by intersectional religion-caste and religion-tribe subgroups nationally, assessed their trends over the last 30 years, and across states.

FINDINGS

The sample comprised 6,594, 4,824, 8,595, 40,950 and 3,352 Muslim children, and 37,231, 24,551, 35,499, 1,87,573 and 171,055 Hindu children over NFHS 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. As one example anthropometric outcome, predicted prevalence of stunting among different subgroups were as follows- Hindu Other: 34.7% (95%CI: 33.8, 35.7), Muslim Other: 39.2% (95% CI: 38, 40.5), Hindu OBC: 38.2 (95%CI: 37.1, 39.3), Muslim OBC: 39.6% (95%CI: 38.3, 41), Hindu SCs: 39.5% (95%CI: 38.2, 40.8), Muslims identifying as SCs: 38.5% (95%CI: 35.1, 42.3), Hindu STs: 40.6% (95% CI: 39.4, 41.9), Muslim STs: 39.7% (95%CI: 37.2, 42.4). Over the last three decades, Muslims always had higher prevalence of stunting than Hindus across caste groups. But this difference doubled for the most advantaged castes (Others) and reduced for OBCs (less privileged caste group). For SCs, who are the most disadvantaged caste group, the Muslim disadvantage reversed to an advantage. Among tribes (STs), Muslims always had an advantage, which reduced over time. Similar directions and effect sizes were estimated for prevalence of underweight. For prevalence of wasting, effect sizes were in the same range, but not statistically significant for two minority castes-OBCs and SCs.

INTERPRETATION

Hindu children had the highest advantages over Muslim children when they belonged to the most privileged castes. Muslim forward caste children were also disadvantaged compared to Hindu children from deprived castes (Hindu OBCs and Hindu SCs), in the case of stunting. Thus, disadvantages from a socially underprivileged religious identity, seemed to override relative social advantages of forward caste identity for Muslim children. Disadvantages born of caste identity seemed to take precedence over the social advantages of Hindu religious identity, for Hindu children of deprived castes and tribes. The doubly marginalized Muslim children from deprived castes were always behind their Hindu counter parts, although their differentials were less than that of Muslim-Hindu children of forward castes. For tribal children, Muslim identity seemed to play a protective role. Our findings indicate monitoring child development outcomes by subgroups capturing intersectional social experiences of relative privilege and access from intersecting religion and social group identities, could inform policies to target health disparities.

Sexing of Embryos at the Time of Twin Reduction: A Clinical Approach

This study provides new unique information on bovine twin pairs during the late embryonic period (28-34 days of pregnancy) in relation to (1) a predictive ultrasound measurement that was differential for sexing heterosexual twins; (2) intrauterine embryonic growth patterns in twin pairs; and (3) a higher vulnerability of female embryos compared to males following an induced embryo reduction in heterosexual twins. The study population comprised 92 dairy cows carrying bilateral twins. A length difference between co-twins equal to or greater than 25% in around 50% of pregnancies served to determine the sex of embryos with 100% accuracy in heterosexual twins, which was assessed four weeks later on the remaining fetus after twin reduction. The apparent rates of growth of twin pairs and of individual male and female embryos from day 28 to 34 of gestation were similar to established growth pattern standards for singletons. Mean embryo sizes in relation to gestational age were smaller by some 5 days' growth equivalent in twins compared to singletons. After the reduction in the female embryo in heterosexual twins, the risk of male embryo loss was null. This new information allowed for sex selection at the time of twin reduction.

Anthropometric deficits and the associated risk of death by age and sex in children aged 6-59 months: A meta-analysis

Risk of death from undernutrition is thought to be higher in younger than in older children, but evidence is mixed. Research also demonstrates sex differences whereby boys have a higher prevalence of undernutrition than girls. This analysis described mortality risk associated with anthropometric deficits (wasting, underweight and stunting) in children 6-59 months by age and sex. We categorised children into younger (6-23 months) and older (24-59 months) age groups. Age and sex variations in near-term (within 6 months) mortality risk, associated with individual anthropometric deficits were assessed in a secondary analysis of multi-country cohort data. A random effects meta-analysis was performed. Data from seven low-or-middle-income-countries collected between 1977 and 2013 were analysed. One thousand twenty deaths were recorded for children with anthropometric deficits. Pooled meta-analysis estimates showed no differences by age in absolute mortality risk for wasting (RR 1.08, p = 0.826 for MUAC < 125 mm; RR 1.35, p = 0.272 for WHZ < -2). For underweight and stunting, absolute risk of death was higher in younger (RR 2.57, p < 0.001) compared with older children (RR 2.83, p < 0.001). For all deficits, there were no differences in mortality risk for girls compared with boys. There were no differences in the risk of mortality between younger and older wasted children, supporting continued inclusion of all children under-five in wasting treatment programmes. The risk of mortality associated with underweight and stunting was higher among younger children, suggesting that prevention programmes might be justified in focusing on younger children where resources are limited. There were no sex differences by age in mortality risk for all deficits.

Childhood BMI and other measures of body composition as a predictor of cardiometabolic non-communicable diseases in adulthood: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

There is growing evidence that childhood malnutrition is associated with non-communicable diseases (NCD) in adulthood and that body composition mediates some of this association. This review aims to determine if childhood body composition can be used to predict later-life cardiometabolic NCD and which measures of body composition predicts future NCD.

DESIGN

Electronic databases were searched for articles where: children aged under 5 years had body composition measured; cardiometabolic health outcomes were measured a minimum of 10 years later.

SETTING

The databases Embase, Medline and Global Health were searched through July 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Children aged under 5 years with a follow-up of minimum 10 years.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Though a poor proxy measure of body composition, body mass index (BMI) was commonly reported (n 28, 97 %). 25 % of these studies included an additional measure (ponderal index or skinfold thickness). Few studies adjusted for current body size (n 11, 39 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Many studies reported that low infant BMI and high childhood BMI were associated with an increased risk of NCD-related outcomes in later life but no conclusions can be made about the exact timing of child malnutrition and consequent impact on NCD. Because studies focussed on BMI rather than direct measures of body composition, nothing can be said about which measures of body composition in childhood are most useful. Future research on child nutrition and long-term outcomes is urgently needed and should include validated body composition assessments as well as standard anthropometric and BMI measurements.

Growing taller unequally? Adult height and socioeconomic status in Spain (Cohorts 1940-1994)

Socioeconomic inequalities and their evolution in different historical contexts have been widely studied. However, some of their dimensions remain relatively unexplored, such as the role played by socioeconomic status in the trajectory of biological living standards, especially net nutritional status. The main objective of this article is to analyze whether the power of socioeconomic status (SES) to explain differences in the biological dimensions of human well-being (in this case, adult height, a reliable metric for health and nutritional status) has increased or diminished over time. Educational attainment and occupational category have been used as two different proxies for the SES of Spanish men and women born between 1940 and 1994, thus covering a historical period in Spain characterized by remarkable socioeconomic development and a marked increase in mean adult height. Our data is drawn from nine waves of the Spanish National Health Survey and the Spanish sample of two waves of the European Health Interview Survey (ENSE) for the period 1987 to 2017 (N = 73,699 citizens aged 23-47). A multivariate regression analysis has been conducted, showing that, as a whole, height differentials by educational attainment have diminished over time, whereas differences by occupational category of household heads have largely persisted. These results indicate the need for further qualification when describing the process of convergence in biological well-being indicators across social groups. For instance, the progressive enrollment of a greater proportion of the population into higher educational levels may lead us to underestimate the real differences between socioeconomic groups, while other proxies of SES still point to the persistence of such differences.