Children concurrently wasted and stunted: A meta-analysis of prevalence data of children 6-59 months from 84 countries

Tanya Khara, Martha Mwangome, Moses Ngari, Carmel Dolan, Tanya Khara, Martha Mwangome, Moses Ngari, Carmel Dolan

Abstract

Children can be stunted and wasted at the same time. Having both deficits greatly elevates risk of mortality. The analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence and burden of children aged 6-59 months concurrently wasted and stunted. Data from demographic and health survey and Multi-indicator Cluster Surveys datasets from 84 countries were analysed. Overall prevalence for being wasted, stunted, and concurrently wasted and stunted among children 6 to 59 months was calculated. A pooled prevalence of concurrence was estimated and reported by gender, age, United Nations regions, and contextual categories. Burden was calculated using population figures from the global joint estimates database. The pooled prevalence of concurrence in the 84 countries was 3.0%, 95% CI [2.97, 3.06], ranging from 0% to 8.0%. Nine countries reported a concurrence prevalence greater than 5%. The estimated burden was 5,963,940 children. Prevalence of concurrence was highest in the 12- to 24-month age group 4.2%, 95% CI [4.1, 4.3], and was significantly higher among boys 3.54%, 95% CI [3.47, 3.61], compared to girls; 2.46%, 95% CI [2.41, 2.52]. Fragile and conflict-affected states reported significantly higher concurrence 3.6%, 95% CI [3.5, 3.6], than those defined as stable 2.24%, 95% CI [2.18, 2.30]. This analysis represents the first multiple country estimation of the prevalence and burden of children concurrently wasted and stunted. Given the high risk of mortality associated with concurrence, the findings indicate a need to report on this condition as well as investigate whether these children are being reached through existing programmes.

Keywords: burden; children; concurrent wasting and stunting; global; prevalence.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

© 2017 The Authors. Maternal and Child Nutrition Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence and burden of children 6 to 59 months of age concurrently wasted and stunted in 84 countries. [Correction added on 05 October 2017, after first online publication: An incorrect version of Figure 1 was used and has now been corrected. Figure caption updated accordingly]
Figure 2
Figure 2
Box plot of proportion (maximum and minimum) of concurrence within the United Nations regions

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Source: PubMed

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