Food Insecurity Associated with Double-Burden of Malnutrition among Women in Reproductive Age in Ciampea Sub-district, Bogor, West Java

Abstract: Double burdens of malnutrition among women have occurred across most developing countries including Indonesia. This study compared the associated factors among overweight and underweight of women in reproductive age (WRA) in rural Ciampea Sub-district, Bogor, West Java. This cross-sectional study surveyed the nutritional status of 575 mothers (16-49 years old) who have under two-years-old children. Nutritional status was assessed by body-mass-index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), food security status by US-Food Security Survey Module (US-FSSM), dietary intake by a single 24-H dietary recall. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obese among this group were 10%, 15.8%, and 34.2%. Food security status was the single factor associated with overweight (p=0.026). However, after adjustment with other factors, food insecurity with hunger was found to be the highest risk of being underweight (AdjOR=3.95; 95%CI: 1.46-10.64). Contrarily, it contributed to lower chances of being overweight among WRA (AdjOR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.21-0.77). In conclusion, food security status in this population associated with both under- and over-nutrition, in addition to other factors such as age and education level of WRA. Ensuring the availability and affordability of nutritious food together with proper nutrition education to rural communities might be worthwhile to improve this condition.