Current nutrition situation mothers 15-49 years of age, Mongolia
- VernacularTitle:Монгол Улсын 15-49 насны эхчүүдийн хоол тэжээлийн байдал
- Author:
Enkhmyagmar D
1
;
Tuul B
1
;
Ganbolor D
1
;
Davaasuren M
1
;
Bolormaa N
1
;
Enkhmtungalag B
1
;
Batjargal J
1
Author Information
1. National Centre of Public Health
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Nutrition status;
underweight;
overweight;
obese
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2019;190(4):31-37
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Overweight and obesity are conditions of over nutrition resulting from consumption of more calories
than the body requires leading to excess body fat accumulation. The prevalence of both overweight
and obesity is increasing globally in all age groups in high, middle, and low-income countries and is
largely attributed to the “nutrition transition” with a shift from traditional diets to readily available and
inexpensive high-energy and low-nutrient foods [1].
The move away from traditional to “Junk” foods often occurs at the same time as the move of populations away from daily physical activity and increase in sedentary activities such as time spent in front of a phone, computer, or television, furthering increasing the risk of becoming overweight. People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for serious health problems including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers, and osteoarthritis. The increase in overweight and obesity is accompanied by a dramatic increase in prevalence of these chronic diseases at the global level. While the long-term repercussions of overweight and obesity are severe, they are largely preventable and treatable through healthy diets and healthy lifestyle behaviors [2].
Materials and Methods:The NNS V was implemented in 21 provinces (aimags) in 4 economic regions (Central, Eastern,
Khangai, and Western) and the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Given the regional differences in lifestyle
and nutrition status, target populations were stratified into 5 strata based on economic region and
Ulaanbaatar with equal samples drawn from each stratum using a cluster-randomized sampling
design [3]. Total participated 1944 mothers’ years of age who had a child aged 0-59 months.
Ethical considerations :The survey methodology was discussed at the Scientific Committee of the Public Health Institute
(recently named by National Center for Public Health) and granted the PHI Directors Order on 28th
June, 2016. Ethics approval for conducting the NNS V, including obtaining biological (blood and
urine) samples, was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee under Ministry of Health, Mongolia
on 7th July, 2016 with granted approval to conduct the survey and send blood serum samples to
the VitMin laboratory in Germany. Participation in the survey was voluntary and oral and written
informed consent was obtained from all individuals selected for the survey. Participant confidentiality
was maintained during data collection, data entry, data analysis, and in the dissemination of survey
findings.
Results:Nearly half of mothers (46.2%) were overweight with 16.5% of mothers obese and 4.1% underweight.
The prevalence of overweight in mothers was highest in rural areas (50.1%), married status (49.3%),
and lowest in Ulaanbaatar (42.3%) compared to other regions (48.6% to 52.6%). The overall
prevalence of anaemia among mothers was 16.2% with highest prevalence amongst Kazakh
(31.9%) and other ethnic minority mothers (25.1%), mothers with secondary education (20.3%) and unemployed mothers (19.9%). Minimum dietary diversity is a proxy indicator for the nutrient content
of a diet based on consumption of at least 5 of 10 food groups.1 People who consume food items
from at least 5 food groups are likely to consume at least 1 animal-source food and items from 2 or more of the fruit and vegetable food groups. In the NNS V, 70.2% of mothers met the minimum dietary diversity requirement with a higher prevalence in urban areas (74.8%) and Ulaanbaatar (77.5%).
Conclusion:The prevalence of overweight and obesity in mothers of reproductive age is 46.2%, with the highest
percentage of mothers with overweight and obesity being in rural areas (50.1%), which is 5.8
percentage points higher than that of urban mothers. 16.2% of mothers are anemic.
Prevalence of Minimum dietary diversity among mothers is 70.2%. Food consumption is inadequate
in mothers with the primary and secondary education, and in mothers in rural areas, and in poorest
mothers or in mothers with the second and third wealth index.
1FAO and FHI 360. 2016. Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women: A Guide for Measurement. Rome: FAO.
- Full text:2019-190(4)-31-37.pdf
