The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) affects many low- and middle-income countries. However, few studies have examined DBM at the individual level, or undernutrition and overnutrition co-occurring within the same person. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of DBM among adults in the Philippines. Data from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey were used. The sample size in the analysis was 17,010 adults aged ≥20 years old, after excluding pregnant and lactating women. DBM was defined as the co-occurrence of overweight/obesity and anemia (definition #1), overweight/obesity and anemia or vitamin A deficiency (definition #2), and overweight/obesity and anemia or vitamin A deficiency or iodine insufficiency (definition #3). Anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers were used for DBM assessment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and logistic regression by R software. Results showed that definition #3 is the predominant type of DBM (7.0%) in the general population, whereas the prevalence of DBM has increased to 23.7% in overweight/obese persons. Sex, age, educational attainment, marital status, household size, wealth quintile, and smoking status were the determinants of DBM. This study revealed that Filipino adults experience malnutrition critically and must be addressed through food and nutrition interventions.

Introduction: Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a fast-evolving public health challenge. The rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases alongside persistent nutritional deficiencies are compelling problems in many developing countries. However, there is limited evidence on the coexistence of these conditions in the same individual among community-dwelling adults. This cross-sectional study describes the various forms of DBM and examines the determinants of DBM at the individual level among adults in the Philippines.Materials and Methods: A nationwide dataset from the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey was used. The final study sample consisted of 17,157 adults (8,596 men and 8,561 non-pregnant and non-lactating women). This study focused on three DBM types within adults: (#1) Underweight and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (Uw + ≥1 CMRF), (#2) Anemia and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (An + ≥1 CMRF), (#3) Vitamin A deficiency or iodine insufficiency and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (Other MND + ≥1 CMRF). The total double burden of malnutrition was also evaluated as the sum of the aforementioned three types. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and DBM.Results: The prevalence of the three types of DBM were: type #1, 8.1%; type #2, 5.6%; type #3, 20.6%, and the total DBM prevalence was 29.4%. Sex, age, educational attainment, employment status, wealth quintile, and alcohol drinking were the risk factors for DBM. In contrast, marital status, smoking, and physical activity were associated with the different DBM types.Conclusion: The study findings contribute to the current state of knowledge on the broad spectrum of individual-level DBM. Understanding the disparities of this phenomenon could guide integrated actions directed to the concomitance of malnutrition in various forms and cardiometabolic disease risks.

Recent studies have investigated dietary patterns to assess the overall dietary habits of specific populations. However, limited epidemiological research has been conducted to explore the unique dietary intakes in low and middle-income countries. This study aims to examine the dietary patterns of Filipino adults and their association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. A total of 10,025 adults (≥20 years old) who participated in the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey were included in the analysis. Dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis of 18 food groups from the dietary survey component. Six dietary patterns were identified, namely (1) rice; (2) cereal, milk, sugar, and oil; (3) fruits and miscellaneous food; (4) fish; (5) vegetables and corn; and (6) meat and beverage. Generalized ordered logistic regression analysis indicated that the dietary patterns were associated with different factors, specifically sex, age, educational attainment, marital status, employment status, household size, wealth quintile, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. Our findings showed distinct dietary patterns among Filipino adults that were influenced by various sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters. The results of this study have valuable public health implications and the dietary patterns generated can further be used to analyze the link between diet and health outcomes.

A dietary pattern transition is a risk factor for the double burden of malnutrition (DBM), but related information is limited. This study aimed to identify sex differences in dietary patterns of adults in a low–middle income country and to examine their association with DBM. A total of 8957 adults (4465 men and 4492 non-pregnant and non-lactating women) who participated in the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey were included in the analysis. Logistic regression models were formulated to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and DBM. The factor analysis derived seven dietary patterns for males and six patterns for females. Results showed that approximately 30% of Filipino adults suffered from DBM. The rice pattern was associated with lower odds of DBM for males only. The meat and sugar pattern in males and the protein-rich foods, cereal, and sugar pattern in females decreased DBM likelihood. An inverse relationship was observed for the vegetables and corn patterns, wherein females had an increased risk for DBM. Our findings suggest that rice-based and meat-containing patterns could play protective roles in DBM development among adults in the Philippines. Understanding sex-specific dietary patterns can be utilized to guide public health nutrition interventions in the prevention of malnutrition in all its forms.

Nutrition transition is characterized by shifts in dietary patterns (DPs) and is one of the factors associated with the double burden of malnutrition (DBM). Evidence indicates correlations between DPs and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known on how DP influences DBM. This mini-review examined DP-DBM relationship among adults along with different DP approaches and DBM definitions. A structured search of peer-reviewed articles was performed from Web of Science. Keywords related to “dietary patterns,” “double burden of malnutrition,” and “adults” were used. A total of 133 studies were included. Results showed that factor analysis was the predominant DP analysis method. Double burden of malnutrition was frequently assessed at the national level and defined as the coexistence of overweight/obesity and underweight. From the 133 studies, only 4 articles investigated DP-DBM association and suggested that healthier DPs positively improved DBM. Significant knowledge gaps remain, including (1) application of a combination of DP approaches, (2) evaluation of individual-level and household-level DBM, and (3) inconsistency of micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable disease indicators in DBM definition. This review revealed paucity of studies on the nexus of DPs and DBM. Future research is imperative to establish evidence on the link between food patterns and multiple burdens of malnutrition.

Background. The multiple forms of malnutrition, including overnutrition, undernutrition, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, are emerging crises in Asian countries. Past studies have focused more on malnutrition among overweight/obese individuals; however, limited research has examined chronic energy-deficient adults. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and determinants of different forms of malnutrition among adults with different body mass index, using the Philippines as an example. Findings from this study will guide the development and implementation of public health nutrition programs and policies. Methods. A representative dataset from the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey was used in the study. Adults aged ≥20 years ( n = 16,826 ) were included in the analysis after excluding those with missing values. Six phenotypes of malnutrition were assessed, including three in overweight/obese adults (overweight/obese with metabolic syndrome; those with micronutrient deficiency–anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and iodine insufficiency; and those with both metabolic syndrome and micronutrient deficiency) and three in chronic energy-deficient (CED) adults (CED with either metabolic syndrome or micronutrient deficiency and with both metabolic syndrome and micronutrient deficiency). Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were examined as the determinants of different forms of malnutrition, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. Results. The prevalence of the six phenotypes of malnutrition ranged from 0.4% to 10.2%, where overweight/obese with metabolic syndrome was the most predominant type. The multinomial logistic regression models indicated that older age was the major risk factor across all phenotypes. Sex was associated with the outcomes in the overweight/obesity group, whereas employment status was correlated with CED adults. Furthermore, higher educational levels, being married, living in affluent households, and not smoking were protective factors for conditions related to CED but not overweight/obese individuals. Conclusion. Malnutrition in all its forms is a significant public health concern that must be understood and addressed. Policymakers should implement appropriate intervention programs to control these nutritional problems considering the specific risk factors for the adult population.

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