Double burden of malnutrition among adolescents in rural West Bengal, India

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and overweight among adolescents in rural West Bengal, India, and identify factors contributing to these forms of malnutrition. This was a cross-sectional study conducted within the Birbhum Health and Demographic Surveillance System in West Bengal, India. Participants were male and female adolescents 10 to 19 y of age (N = 5521). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using measured heights and weights and z-scores based on the 2007 World Health Organization growth standards. Information on demographic characteristics, diet, and health behaviors was collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardized questionnaire. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between each risk factor and outcome. The proportion of underweight was 26.6% overall: 31.1% among boys, and 21.1% among girls. The proportion of stunting was 25% overall: 23.3% among boys and 26.9% among girls. Of the participants, 4.6% were overweight or obese: 4.1% boys and 5.2% girls. Compared with boys, girls had a reduced likelihood of being underweight (adjusted PR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59–0.75). Multivariate models also showed that socioeconomic status was strongly associated with all nutritional outcomes. Not having a toilet facility in one’s household and poor hand hygiene were also associated with a greater likelihood of stunting. The present results suggested that adolescents in Birbhum, India are substantially affected by the double burden of malnutrition. Nutritional interventions should incorporate efforts to reduce socioeconomic inequality. •Underweight and stunting are common among adolescents in rural West Bengal.•Adolescent females were less likely than adolescent males to be underweight.•Socioeconomic status predicted all nutritional outcomes.•Nutritional interventions that address sex and socioeconomic context appear warranted.