Mortality due to malnutritionin adults: An ecological study on educational inequalities in Colombia, 1998-2015

Authors

  • Laura Vásquez-Escobar Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia
  • Sandra López-Arana Universidad de Chile
  • Iván Arroyave Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.01.339.842

Keywords:

socioeconomic level; inequality in health, malnutrition; mortality rate by age; non-developed countries; education

Abstract

Background: Despite the high burden of mortality due to malnutrition among adults, both in Colombia and worldwide, studies on this problem are scarce, even more so on its unequal socioeconomic distribution.  

Materials and methods: An ecological study was carried out, Age Standardized Mortality Rates (ASMR) were calculated, by educational level, sex and five-year age groups. Relative Inequity Index (RII) and Rate Ratios (RR) were calculated using Poisson regression, with the highest educational level as a reference. Annual percentage change (CPA) over the period was calculated for of ASMR and RII by using joinpoint analysis to identify inflection points.  

Results: Of 9,631 deaths due to Mortality due to malnutrition in adults (25 years and older), 42 % were among men and 58 % among women. ASMR were higher among senior adults (65+ years, men and women). Women had higher RII, mainly young adults (RII=6.64). RII increased +5.6 % in men (p<0.05) versus +4.8 % in women (p<0.05) for the entire study period.  

Conclusions: it is vital to strengthen health programs that include attention to malnutrition not only in children, but also for the adult population. 

Author Biographies

  • Laura Vásquez-Escobar , Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia

    Ph.D.© en Salud Pública, Universidad El Bosque. Magíster en Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, CREAD Tunja. laura.vasquez@uptc.edu.co.https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6909-7387  

     

  • Sandra López-Arana , Universidad de Chile

    Ph.D. en Salud Pública, Erasmus University Rotterdam (Países Bajos). MSc en Ciencias de la Salud. Máster en Salud Pública, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel). Nutricionista-Dietista, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Universidad Finis Terrae, Universidad de Chile. slopez@uft.cl https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4312-1318  

     

  • Iván Arroyave , Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia

    MSc y Ph.D. en Ciencias de la Salud. Especialización en Salud Pública, Erasmus University Medical Center (EMC). Odontólogo, Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad de Antioquia. ivan.arroyave@udea.edu.co.https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9989-5833  

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Published

2025-04-01

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Mortality due to malnutritionin adults: An ecological study on educational inequalities in Colombia, 1998-2015 . (2025). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 41(1), 128-146. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.41.01.339.842

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