title: Addressing the double burden of malnutrition with a common agenda.
abstract: Addressing malnutrition in all its forms represents an integrated agenda addressing the root causes of malnutrition at all stages of the life course. The issue is not about choosing between addressing undernutrition in the poor versus overnutrition in the affluent. We must recognize that the interventions required to address stunting are different from those needed to reduce underweight and wasting. In most developing regions, there is a coexistence between underweight and stunting in infants and children, while in the adult population it may be overweight and stunting. Malnutrition in all its forms refers to both underweight and overweight. Underweight is defined by a low weight-for-age, a child is underweight because of wasting (low weight-for-height) or stunting (low length-for-age). Stunting refers to low height-for-age independent of their weight-for-age, some stunted children may have excess weight for their stature length. Overweight is excess weight-for-length/-height or high-BMI-for-age. The prevention of nutrition-related chronic diseases is a life-long process that starts in fetal life and continues throughout infancy and later stages of life. It requires promoting healthy diets and active living at each stage. The agenda requires that we tackle malnutrition in all its forms.
authors: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Uauy
authors: María Luisa
authors: ML
authors: Garmendia
authors: Camila
authors: C
authors: Corvalán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013851:Thinness / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control