The distribution and mortality impact of chronic energy deficiency among adult Nigerian men and women

Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CEB) a nd associated mortality risk in a cohort of adult Nigerians followed from 1 992 to 1997. Research methods and procedures: The data for this investigation were deriv ed from all international collaborative study on chronic diseases in popula tions of the African diaspora, Body mass index (BMI) was used to define thr ee grades of CED in 4061 men and women aged 25 years and older: Grade I (mi ld CED) as BMI 17.5-18.4, Grade II (moderate CED) as BMI 16.0-17.4, and Gra de III (severe CED) as BMI < 16.0 and BMI greater than or equal to 18.5 was considered normal. The odds of mortality associated with differing grades of CED was estimated with logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of CED (BMI < 18.5) increased from 14.3% in 1992 to 19.6% in 1997, both genders combined. The prevalence of CED was similar fo r both sexes in 1992 (14%) but increased to 22.4% in men and 17.4% in nomen by 1997. The prevalence of CED was 8.5%, 7.6 and 3.1 for Grades I, II and III, respectively. Two hundred and seven deaths occurred during the follow- up period. The mortality rate for the 5.5 y of follow-up was 5.1% (207/4061 ). The odds ratios (95% Cls) for all cause mortality were 1.4 (0.5, 3.8), 2 .4 (1.2, 4.9) and 2.5 (1.0, 6.2), respectively, for CED grades I, II and II I adjusting for age and sex. Conclusion: tinder nutrition is an increasing problem in Nigerian men and w omen. The economic reforms (structural adjustment program (SAP)) introduced in 1986 in combination with the continued economic woes brought on by poli tical instability, corruption and nepotism have been advanced by several in vestigators as the main factors in the growing problem of inadequate calori e intake. Intervention strategies both at the government and private sector s are urgently needed to increase food availability.