Study
Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

The Double Burden of Malnutrition Affects 88% of Nations

A significant majority of countries face a complex challenge of multiple forms of malnutrition, impacting human health and well-being on a global scale.

City Research Online (City University London) · 2017

01

Key Findings

  • 0188% of countries with available data face a serious burden of at least two or three forms of malnutrition.
  • 02The forms of malnutrition considered were childhood stunting, anemia in women of reproductive age, and overweight in adult women.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Design solutions for nutrition must acknowledge and address the co-existence of different malnutrition states within populations and even within individuals.

How to apply

When designing food products, dietary guidelines, or health education materials, consider how they can support both nutrient intake and healthy weight management.

Project actions

  • 01Consider the diverse nutritional needs of your target user group.
  • 02Research existing malnutrition challenges in the region your design will be used.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the global prevalence of multiple forms of malnutrition across countries.
MethodData analysis and reporting
ProcedureThe report analyzed data on childhood stunting, anemia in women of reproductive age, and overweight in adult women to determine the burden of malnutrition in various countries.
SampleData for 88% of countries with available information.
ContextGlobal health and nutrition policy
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a broad overview of a critical global health issue.
  • +Uses data to quantify the scale of the problem.

Limitations

The specific malnutrition indicators used might not be relevant to all design contexts.

Reliability & validity

The report's findings are based on aggregated data, and the reliability depends on the quality and consistency of the original data sources. Validity is high in terms of identifying the widespread nature of the problem.

Think critically

How might a single product or intervention effectively address both undernutrition and overnutrition within the same user group?

05

Design Principles

"Design for holistic human well-being, recognizing the complex interplay of physiological needs and environmental factors."

Understanding the prevalence and multifaceted nature of malnutrition is crucial for designers developing health interventions, food products, and public health campaigns. It highlights the need for solutions that address not just deficiency but also excess, and consider diverse demographic groups.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Most countries have a big problem with people being too thin in some ways (like not enough vitamins) and too heavy in others, all at the same time.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this insight to justify the need for a design that addresses multiple nutritional needs or to inform user research about dietary habits and health concerns.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2017). Nourishing the SDGs: Global Nutrition Report 2017. City Research Online (City University London). Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/972017f7-47b3-4f1b-b3d0-91fc45363764/the-double-burden-of-malnutrition-affects-88-of-nations

Paragraph starter

The Global Nutrition Report 2017 highlights that 88% of countries face a serious burden of multiple forms of malnutrition, such as childhood stunting, anemia, and overweight. This indicates a complex global health challenge where individuals and populations can suffer from both under- and over-nutrition simultaneously, necessitating design solutions that are sensitive to these dual needs.

09

Source

City Research Online (City University London)

Nourishing the SDGs: Global Nutrition Report 2017

journal · 2017

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about the double burden of malnutrition affects 88% of nations?
Design solutions for nutrition must acknowledge and address the co-existence of different malnutrition states within populations and even within individuals. Evidence: City Research Online (City University London) (2017).
Why does "The Double Burden of Malnutrition Affects 88% of Nations" matter for design?
Understanding the prevalence and multifaceted nature of malnutrition is crucial for designers developing health interventions, food products, and public health campaigns. It highlights the need for solutions that address not just deficiency but also excess, and consider diverse demographic groups.
How can designers apply this research?
Design solutions for nutrition must acknowledge and address the co-existence of different malnutrition states within populations and even within individuals.
What were the main findings?
88% of countries with available data face a serious burden of at least two or three forms of malnutrition.. The forms of malnutrition considered were childhood stunting, anemia in women of reproductive age, and overweight in adult women.
What research method was used?
Data analysis and reporting with Data for 88% of countries with available information..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from City Research Online (City University London).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing food products, dietary guidelines, or health education materials, consider how they can support both nutrient intake and healthy weight management.
What are the limitations?
The analysis is based on available data, and the specific forms of malnutrition studied may not encompass all possible nutritional challenges.
Is there evidence that malnutrition affects design outcomes?
Most countries are dealing with a combination of undernutrition (stunting, anemia) and overnutrition (overweight), indicating a complex global health crisis. Understanding the prevalence and multifaceted nature of malnutrition is crucial for designers developing health interventions, food products, and public health ca Source: City Research Online (City University London) (2017).
Where does this health research apply?
Global health and nutrition policy It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

malnutrition design research · evidence on malnutrition · does malnutrition improve design outcomes · health studies for designers · malnutrition and health findings · human factors research evidence