Transition from undernutrition into coexistence of
undernutrition and overweight/obesity is an important
cause of the increasing burden of non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) [9,12]. Children born with low weight
or those who succumb to undernutrition in their early
childhood have a high risk of early adulthood obesity
and NCDs, including diabetes and heart diseases [12-15].
In this regard, countries where undernutrition is rampant
may have high magnitudes of early adulthood obesity
and subsequent non-communicable diseases [16].
Currently, low and middle-income countries contribute
70% of all NCD-related mortality globally [2]. Even without
the added burden of childhood undernutrition as a
precursor, these countries have other high risk factors
for NCDs, including low levels of physical activity and
unhealthy eating. These risk factors alone are responsible
for 5% and 6% of global deaths, respectively [2], and are
unacceptably high in LAMICs.