Predicting under- and overnutrition among women of reproductive age: A population-based study in central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate changes over 1 year in weight and body mass index (BMI) among a population-based sample of non-pregnant women in Indonesia and to identify risk factors for developing under- and overnutrition. Design: Cross-sectional studies in 1996 and 1997 in the same population. Setting: Purworejo District, central Java, Indonesia. Subjects: Non-pregnant women (n = 4132) aged 15-49 years of age who participated in both 1996 and 1997. Based on BMI, women were classified as having chronic energy deficiency (CED), and as being either of normal weight or obese. Results: The mean height of the women was below the fifth percentile of international standards. In 1996, 16.2% had CED, 72.2% were normal and 11.6% were obese. In 1997, the corresponding figures were 14.4%, 71.2% and 14.3%, respectively, revealing a significant mean increase in weight and BMI. Among women classified as normal in 1996, 3.0% developed CED in 1997. Significant risk factors for developing CED were experiences of child deaths and non-use of contraceptives. Among women classified as normal in 1996, 5.3% developed obesity in 1997. Here, significant risk factors included most indicators of wealth as well as occupation. Conclusions: The results should be important for future efforts to prevent CED and obesity in the general population; conditions which are both associated with health risks.