Coexistence and correlates of forms of malnutrition among mothers and under-five child pairs in Tanzania

Abstract

Improving the health and well-being of mothers and children is a priority worldwide. The present study aimed to examine the coexistence and correlates of malnutrition among mothers and under-five child pairs using Tanzania Demographic Health Survey 2015-16 data. Height-for-age, height-for-weight and weight-for-age Z-scores were used to assess the nutritional status of children, while body mass index was used to assess the nutritional status of mothers. Correlates of forms of malnutrition were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Among 8083 pairs, 40.9% were normal, 30.3% were underweight, 17.5% overweight and 11.3% had double burden of malnutrition. The risk of being underweight is highest among the pairs with; children aged 13-59 months (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.33) and children with small birth weight (RRR = 2.67). Overweight is highest among pairs with; mothers aged 35-49 (RRR = 3.36), mothers with secondary education and above (RRR = 1.85), fathers aged 35+ (RRR = 1.38), professional fathers (RRR = 4.10) and richer households (RRR = 2.06). The double burden of malnutrition is highest among pairs with; children with small birth weight (RRR = 2.76), from rural households (RRR = 1.24) and from richer households (RRR = 1.41). There is a coexistence of forms of malnutrition among mothers and under-five child pairs in Tanzania. The study recommends using multidimensional approaches such as double-duty action for nutrition to eradicate all forms of malnutrition.