Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29122038›Full record

ArticlePublic health nutrition2018

Underweight among rural Indian adults: burden, and predictors of incidence and recovery.

Rajesh Kumar Rai, Wafaie Wahib Fawzi, Sabri Bromage, Anamitra Barik, Abhijit Chowdhury

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Public health nutrition, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Prevalence of obesity and diabetes in a rural village of India.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2025
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Subclinical Kwashiorkor in Adults: A New Age Paradigm.Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Rajesh Kumar Rai1Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance,Suri 731101,West Bengal,India.
Wafaie Wahib Fawzi2Department of Global Health and Population,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,Boston,MA,USA.
Sabri Bromage4Department of Nutrition,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,Boston,MA,USA.
Anamitra Barik1Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance,Suri 731101,West Bengal,India.
Abhijit Chowdhury1Society for Health and Demographic Surveillance,Suri 731101,West Bengal,India.

Funding

Training Program in Environmental EpidemiologyT32ES007069 · NIEHS · HARVARD UNIVERSITY (SCH OF PUBLIC HLTH) · PI LADEN, FRANCINE · 1985 to 2024
$13.9M
NIEHS NIH HHS T32 ES007069
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo study the magnitude and predictors of underweight, incident underweight and recovery from underweight among rural Indian adults.

designProspective cohort study. Each participant's BMI was measured in 2008 and 2012 and categorized as underweight (BMI<18·5 kg/m2), normal (BMI=18·5-22·9 kg/m2) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥23·0 kg/m2). Incident underweight was defined as a transition from normal weight or overweight/obese in 2008 to underweight in 2012, and recovery from underweight as a transition from underweight in 2008 to normal weight in 2012. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed.

settingThe Birbhum Health and Demographic Surveillance System, West Bengal, India. SUBJECTS: Predominantly rural individuals (n 6732) aged ≥18 years enrolled in 2008 were followed up in 2012.

resultsIn 2008, the prevalence of underweight was 46·5 %. From 2008 to 2012, 25·8 % of underweight persons transitioned to normal BMI, 12·9 % of normal-weight persons became underweight and 0·1 % of overweight/obese persons became underweight. Multivariable models reveal that people aged 25-49 years, educated and wealthier people, and non-smokers had lower odds of underweight in 2008 and lower odds of incident underweight. Odds of recovery from underweight were lower among people aged ≥36 years and higher among educated (Grade 6 or higher) individuals.

conclusionsThe current study highlights a high incidence of underweight and important risk factors and modifiable predictors of underweight in rural India, which may inform the design of local nutrition interventions.

Indexed as

Body Mass IndexNutritional StatusRural PopulationAdolescentAdultAgedEducational StatusFemaleHumansIncidenceIndiaLogistic ModelsMaleMalnutritionMiddle AgedObesityBMIIncident underweightNutritional epidemiologyProspective cohort study

Identifiers

PMID29122038
PMCPMC5849053

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