Dhaka, Nov. 25 -- Because of a major shift in dietary patterns and lifestyle changes due to urbanisation and rising incomes, low- and middle-income countries are experiencing a rapid nutrition transition, leading to 'double burden of malnutrition', with under nutrition co-existing with obesity. The poorest populations are most affected. Incidences of obesity are highest among women and children, indicating health inequities.

In South Asia, adult females face a dual burden of malnutrition, with high rates of both underweight and obesity. Among adult females in Afghanistan, there is rising obesity coexisting with persistent under nutrition. Between 2007 and 2018, the prevalence of underweight among Bangladeshi adult females declined consid...