Tahsinul Mobashara Tiana-
Malnutrition is a serious public health issue in Bangladesh, affecting millions of children and adults every year. The problem is particularly acute in children under the age of five. According to UNICEF, over 28 percent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition or stunted growth in Bangladesh.
Despite progress in reducing poverty and improving access to healthcare in recent years, malnutrition remains a persistent problem in Bangladesh, with severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
There are multiple complex reasons for malnutrition in Bangladesh, reflecting a range of economic, social, and environmental factors. One of the primary drivers of malnutrition in Bangladesh is poverty, which affects a large percentage of the population, particularly in rural areas.
Families living in poverty often cannot afford to buy enough food to meet their basic needs, and the food they do have may lack the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. About 35 percent of the population remains food insecure or has food that is low in nutrients. Undernutrition is exacerbated by low dietary diversity, including cereals, and inadequate protein and micronutrient intake.
Inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities exacerbates the problem by increasing the risk of waterborne and other communicable diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, etc., which can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Another factor contributing to malnutrition in Bangladesh is a lack of education about proper nutrition and feeding practices. Many mothers do not receive adequate education on how to feed their children, resulting in the overuse of low-nutrient, starchy foods like rice and potatoes, and a lack of emphasis on the importance of fruits, vegetables, and protein. In addition, cultural beliefs and practices surrounding food and feeding can also contribute to malnutrition, such as the belief that feeding young children meat or eggs in summer will make them feel “hot” or cause illness. As a result, a large number of children and adolescents suffer from anemia because of the lack of protein.
Child marriage is another reason for malnutrition. Many girls in rural areas get married and give birth to children at an early age, which causes pre-eclampsia, premature childbirth, and many more complications. They often lack the knowledge of feeding the baby and cannot breastfeed properly resulting in both mother and child malnutrition.
The consequences of malnutrition in Bangladesh are severe and far-reaching. Children who suffer from chronic malnutrition may experience stunted growth, delayed cognitive development, and a weakened immune system, making them more vulnerable to illness and disease. A malnourished child grows up as a malnourished adult which has long-term effects on productivity and economic growth.
Individuals who suffer from malnutrition are less likely to perform well in school or work and are more likely to require expensive medical care as adults. Research by icddr,b (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh) mentioned that over 6 lac children in Bangladesh are severely affected by acute malnutrition. Among them, 43 percent of children from 6 months to 5 years of age are affected by anemia. 28 percent of children under 5 years of age are stunted and 10 percent of children under 5 years of age are wasted. 23 percent of children under the age of five are underweight.
A third of women are underweight and around 13 percent have short stature, which increases the risk of difficult childbirth and low-birth-weight infants. Around half of all women suffer from anemia, mostly nutritional in origin.
Malnutrition is estimated to cost Bangladesh more than 1 billion US dollars every year in lost productivity.
To address the issue of malnutrition in Bangladesh, a range of interventions have been implemented in recent years. These include targeted nutrition programs aimed at providing food and supplements to vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and young children.
Government-led initiatives have also been implemented to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities, which can help reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases that contribute to malnutrition. In addition, education campaigns have been developed to increase awareness of proper nutrition and feeding practices among mothers and caregivers, with a particular emphasis on the importance of a diverse and balanced diet.
Despite these efforts, however, malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge in Bangladesh, with no easy solutions. Poverty and inequality continue to limit access to basic resources and services, while cultural beliefs and practices surrounding food and feeding can be difficult to change. Moreover, the problem of malnutrition is often exacerbated by other factors, such as natural disasters, conflict, and displacement, which can disrupt food systems and access to necessities.
One promising approach to addressing malnutrition in Bangladesh is the use of innovative technologies and strategies. For example, recent research has explored the potential of biofortification, which involves breeding crops to be more nutrient-rich, as a way to improve the nutritional quality of staple foods like rice and wheat. Other approaches, such as community-based nutrition interventions and mobile health technologies that provide real-time nutrition advice and support, have also shown promise in improving nutrition outcomes in Bangladesh and other low-income countries.
The best method to end malnutrition is through a balanced diet. A balanced diet consists of a variety of foods that provide essential nutrients needed for good health. It also should be affordable for all. According to the economic status of the largest part of the population of Bangladesh, a balanced diet should be low-cost, affordable, and rich in local foods.
Rice is the staple food of Bangladesh. However, brown rice is full of vitamins and minerals, which is also low in cost. Potatoes can be a substitute for rice too.
Nowadays price hikes have made it almost impossible to buy meat. Eggs, small fish, lentils, and seeds are good sources of protein. They can be taken instead of meat and fulfill the requirement of protein.
Green leafy vegetables and seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, gourd, snake gourd, okra, eggplants, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Local fruits like bananas, papayas, mangoes, and guavas are easily available in Bangladesh and are good sources of vitamins and minerals.
It is important to note that a balanced diet should also include sufficient amounts of water, which is essential for good health.
It is essential to eat a variety of foods from each food group to ensure that all nutrient needs are met. Incorporating these foods into the diet can provide a balanced and nutritious diet that can meet daily nutritional needs while staying within budget.
Malnutrition is a complex and persistent public health issue in Bangladesh, with severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole. Addressing malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral approach that includes not only nutrition-specific interventions, but also broader efforts to reduce poverty, improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and increase education and awareness about food, proper nutrition, and feeding practices.
Tahsinul Mobashara Tiana is a nutritionist and researcher.
