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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Jan;17(1):68-82.
doi: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1860247. Epub 2020 Dec 17.

A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of droughts, flooding, and climate variability on malnutrition

Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of droughts, flooding, and climate variability on malnutrition

Mark Lieber et al. Glob Public Health. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Both the World Health Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change project that malnutrition will be the greatest contributor to climate change-associated morbidity and mortality. Although there have been several studies that have examined the potential effects of climate change on human health broadly, the effects on malnutrition are still not well understood. We conducted a systematic review investigating the role of three climate change proxies (droughts, floods, and climate variability) on malnutrition in children and adults.

Methods and findings: We identified 22 studies examining the effects of droughts, floods, and climate variability on at least one malnutrition metric. We found that 17 out of 22 studies reported a significant relationship between climate change proxies and at least one malnutrition metric. In meta-analysis, drought conditions were significantly associated with both wasting (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.46, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.05-2.04) and underweight prevalence (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01-2.11).

Conclusions: Given the long-term consequences of malnutrition on individuals and society, adoption of climate change adaptation strategies such as sustainable agriculture and water irrigation practices, as well as improving nutritional interventions aimed at children aged 1-2 years and older adults, should be prioritised on global policy agendas in the coming years.

Keywords: Climate change; climate variability; droughts; flooding; malnutrition; stunting; underweight; wasting.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA Flow Diagram
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Study Types and Characteristics
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Drought and Malnutrition
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Pooled odds ratios from the four studies with control data that looked at drought and wasting prevalence.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Pooled odds ratios from the four studies with control data that looked at drought and underweight prevalence.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Floods and Malnutrition
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Climate Variability and Malnutrition
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Factors Mediating/Moderating Effects of Climate Change on Malnutrition

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