Double and triple burden of malnutrition and the role of geo-socio-ecological factors in Ethiopia: a bayesian geostatistical analysis

The present finding shows that Ethiopia is experiencing both a double and triple burden of malnutrition, with a significant overlap of overweight/obesity, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies (i.e. triple burden) across the country. This highlights the need for geographically targeted integration of services that address all forms of malnutrition. The Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (DTP) vaccine was negatively associated with stunting and VAD, likely due to its role in reducing infectious and diarrheal diseases, highlighting the potential for integrating health coverage with nutritional intervention. Soil nitrogen density was also negatively associated with iron and zinc deficiencies, possible due to its role on plant growth and nutrient composition, underscoring the need to promote soil-specific fertilizer use as part of nutrition-sensitive agricultural strategies.