Very low micronutrient intake adequacy of young children in rural Bangladesh is explained by limited diversity of nutrientrich foods

Abstract

Documentation of micronutrient intake inadequacies among children in developing countries is important for planning food‐based interventions. This study quantified and assessed adequacy of micronutrient intakes of young children in rural Bangladesh. We measured 24‐h dietary intakes on two non‐consecutive days in a representative sample of 480 children ages 24–48 months using weighed food records and recall in homes. We calculated the probability of adequacy of usual intakes of 11 micronutrients, an overall mean probability of micronutrient adequacy (MA), and evaluated dietary diversity by counting the total number of nine food groups consumed. The relationship between overall adequacy of micronutrient intakes and dietary diversity scores or food group indicators was determinate using multivariate regression analyses. The overall mean prevalence of MA was 43% ± 16%. Fewer than 10% of children had adequate intakes of calcium, folate, and vitamin A, and < 50% of children had adequate intakes of iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B–12. Overall MA was primarily explained by energy intake and diet diversity. Food groups that explained variance in MA were dairy, eggs, meats, and vitamin A‐rich fruits and vegetables. Micronutrient adequacy among young children in rural Bangladesh is alarmingly low, and targeted food‐based interventions are warranted.