The economic and nutrition transition in Equatorial Guinea coincided with a double burden of over- and under nutrition

Abstract

We assess trends in children's nutritional status in Equatorial Guinea, a country in socioeconomic transition. Nationally representative samples were conducted in 1997, at the start of the economic take off, and again in 2004. Children aged 0-60 months were included in the surveys (N = 436, 552). Both surveys included a sociodemographic, dietary and health questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements from which height-for-age (HAZ); weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) Z-scores were calculated. Between 1997 and 2004, the prevalence of child overweight for all children increased from 21.8% to 31.7%, especially in urban areas (from 18.2% to 29.4%, p = 0.01). Stunting prevalence among children >=2 years old decreased (from 57.9% to 45.3%, p Nutrition transition Children Africa Equatorial Guinea Overweight Stunting Malnutrition Economic development Height Physical stature