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. 2017 Sep 20:28:49.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.49.11176. eCollection 2017.

Obesity as a form of malnutrition: over-nutrition on the Uganda "malnutrition" agenda

Christine Ngaruiya  1 , Alison Hayward  1 , Lori Post  1 , Hani Mowafi  1
Affiliations

Obesity as a form of malnutrition: over-nutrition on the Uganda "malnutrition" agenda

Christine Ngaruiya et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

The objectives were to highlight the burden of overweight and obesity as an additional area of importance for the malnutrition agenda in Uganda and to provide evidence-based considerations for stakeholders involved.

Introduction: Mirroring other Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), Uganda is experiencing a "double burden" of over-nutrition related issues - both obesity and overweight, and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) alongside the under-nutrition that has long plagued the country. Despite the commonplace assumption that under-nutrition is the predominant form of malnutrition in Uganda, we explore recent literature that in fact, challenges this notion. While food insecurity has contributed to the under-nutrition problem, a lack of dietary diversity also has a demonstrated role in increasing over-nutrition. We cannot afford to ignore over-nutrition concomitant with stunting and wasting in the country. Increase in the burden of this less acknowledged form of malnutrition in Uganda is critical to investigate, and yet poorly understood. A move towards increased regionally targeted over-nutrition research, funding, government prioritization and advocacy is needed.

Keywords: Africa; East Africa; Uganda; malnutrition; nutrition; obesity; overweight.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of total number of pubmed publications using search terms “undernutrition and Uganda” and “Overnutrition and Uganda” (search completed April 2016)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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