Nutrition In Bangladesh Research Articles

Exploring the nutritional profiles and dietary value of indigenous fish species from the Mathabanga River in Bangladesh

The study aimed to address the pervasive issue of inadequate nutrition in Bangladesh by analyzing eight distinct fish species, a pivotal step toward developing fish powder as a promising dietary supplement for nutritional enhancement. Samples from the Mathabhanga River in Chuadanga were rigorously processed and oven-dried to assess their nutritional properties, focusing on proximate composition, mineral content, and amino acid profile. Among the studied fish species, C. reba demonstrated the highest energy content (198.56 Kcal/100 g, p < 0.001), with notably elevated crude protein content (16.99 g/100 g, p < 0.001) compared to all except N. notopterus. The mineral composition order in fish powders was Ca > P > Fe > Na > Mg. Leucine emerged as the predominant essential amino acid (EAA) (6.84 to 32.15 mg/g, p < 0.001) among the species. O. pabo exhibited notably higher total EAA (∑EAA) levels (124.30 mg/g, p < 0.05) compared to other species. P. ticto showed a significantly higher ratio of total essential and non-essential amino acid content (∑EAA/∑NEAA) (0.41, p < 0.05) compared to other species. These findings underscored the nutritional value of the studied fish species, advocating their utilization as a dietary supplement to address malnutrition in Bangladesh.

Qualitative assessment of programmatic constraints in delivery of effective interventions for improving maternal nutrition in Bangladesh

IntroductionMaternal undernutrition is highly prevalent in most of the developing countries. Prevalence of both extremes of maternal malnutrition (undernutrition and overweight/obesity) are common in those countries. For Bangladesh, the scenario...

Birth Interval and its Association with adverse Childhood Nutritional outcomes among under-Five Children in Bangladesh: A Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Short birth spacing is reported to have health consequences for both mother and child. This study aims is to examine the effect of short birth interval on nutritional outcomes of under-five children in Bangladesh. Methods:We used data from the latest five rounds of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys conducted from 2004 to 2017-18. The short birth interval is defined as birth spacing of &lt;24 months and 24-35 months between two subsequent births. The outcomes of interest are stunting and underweight. Both bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were employed. Results of the multivariate analysis are shown by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data were analyzed by Stata 15/IC. Results: A total of 16,100 under-five children of second and higher-order births were included for analysis. Of the children, 12% were born at a space of &lt;24 months, and 19% were born with a space of 24-35 months. The proportion of children with short birth interval was found decreasing. Results of the logistic regression analysis show thatcompared to the birth interval of 36-59 months children born to women with birth interval &lt;24 months were significantly (P&lt;0.001) at higher risk of being stunted (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.57) and underweight (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.58). A similar result was obtained for the birth interval of 24-35 months. Conclusion: Short birth interval remains a problem of childhood nutrition in Bangladesh. Research to explore causal pathways and programs to lengthen space between inter-pregnancy should be intensified. Keywords: Birth interval, childhood nutrition, stunting, underweight, logistic regression

Effects of Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and Skipjack Tuna (Sarda orientalis) mince blend on the quality of fish products: Ways to utilize resources and nutrition in Bangladesh.

This study was conducted with the aims of utilizing the resources and analyzing the quality of value‐added fish products, fish ball made from a fish mince blend of pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and skipjack tuna (Sarda orientalis) (ratios P100:T0, P75:T25, P50:T50, P25:T75, P0:T100), under two cooking processes (two‐step heating and autoclaving). The textural quality (softness/firmness [S/F]; chewiness/rubberiness [C/R]; and folding test [FT]) and the nutritional quality of the fish products were determined by the sensory method and AOAC method, respectively. The results showed that tuna had higher utilization than pangasius. The products from the washed fish mince blend showed better textural properties with two‐step heating (50℃ for 60 min and 100℃ for 30 min) than with autoclaving (120℃, 15Ib/Inc2 for 15 min) and unwashed process. Of the five fish mince blend ratios, P50:T50 showed significant higher textural properties (FT, S/F, and C/R values) than the other ratios (p < .05). Further improvements in textural qualities were observed when the mince blend was washed with different salt solutions (0.1% NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2). Whitish or bright color attributes were obtained from pangasius mince, which became darker proportionately with increasing proportions of tuna mince (p < .05). The texture, color, and nutritional quality of the fish products were affected by washing, heating, and the compositional differences in the fish species. Thus, value‐added fish products based on a fish mince blend could contribute to an increase in total resource utilization and nutritional security in Bangladesh.

Childhood Obesity: Nutritional Transition of Bangladesh

Childhood obesity has been a major public health concern in many high income countries. In middle income countries, like Bangladesh, the coexistence of obesity and underweight makes the situation more grievous. It creates a transitional status in the childhood nutrition in Bangladesh. The priority is to identify the overall picture of obesity status in our country. In this review article we try to identify the transitional situation of childhood nutrition and the importance of finding out the overall picture of childhood obesity throughout the country.&#x0D; Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2020; 31(1) : 37-38

Cities, slums, and child nutrition in Bangladesh

AbstractThis study uses novel household survey data that are representative of Bangladesh's large cities, and of slum and nonslum areas within the cities, to investigate the effects of demographic and socioeconomic factors on child nutrition status in 2013. The study also decomposes the difference in mean child nutrition status between slum and nonslum areas in 2013, and the increase in mean child nutrition status in slum and nonslum areas from 2006 to 2013. Mother's education attainment and household wealth largely explain the cross‐sectional difference and intertemporal change in mean child nutrition status. Although positive in some cases, the effects of maternal and child health services, and potential health‐protective household amenities, on child nutrition status differ by the type of health facility, household amenity, and urban area (slum or nonslum). Focusing on nutrition‐sensitive programs for slum residents and the urban poor is consistent with the results.

Mobile-Based Nutrition Counseling and Unconditional Cash Transfers for Improving Maternal and Child Nutrition in Bangladesh: Pilot Study.

BackgroundInappropriate feeding practices, inadequate nutrition knowledge, and insufficient access to food are major risk factors for maternal and child undernutrition. There is evidence to suggest that the combination of cash transfer and nutrition education improves child growth. However, a cost-effective delivery platform is needed to achieve complete, population-wide coverage of these interventions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived appropriateness of an intervention package consisting of voice messaging, direct counseling, and unconditional cash transfers all on a mobile platform for changing perceptions on nutrition during pregnancy and the first year of a child’s life in a poor rural community in Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-methods pilot study. We recruited 340 pregnant or recently delivered, lactating women from rural Bangladesh. The intervention consisted of an unconditional cash transfer combined with nutrition counseling, both delivered on a mobile platform. The participants received a mobile phone and BDT 787 per month (US $10). We used a voice messaging service to deliver nutrition-related messages. We provided additional nutrition counseling through a nutrition counselor from a call center. We carried out cross-sectional surveys at baseline and at the end of the study, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with participants and their family members.ResultsApproximately 89% (245/275) of participants reported that they were able to operate the mobile phones without much trouble. Charging of the mobile handsets posed some challenges since only approximately 45% (124/275) households in our study had electricity at home. Approximately 26% (72/275) women reported they had charged their mobile phones at their neighbor’s house, while 34% (94/275) reported that they charged it at a marketplace. Less than 10% (22/275) of women reported difficulties understanding the voice messages or direct counseling through mobile phones, while only 3% (8/275) of women reported they had some problems withdrawing cash from the mobile bank agent. Approximately 87% (236/275) women reported spending the cash to purchase food for themselves and their children.ConclusionsThe nature of our study precludes any conclusion about the effectiveness of the intervention package. However, the high coverage of our intervention and the positive feedback from the mothers were encouraging and support the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of this program. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of mobile-based nutrition counseling and unconditional cash transfers in improving maternal and child nutrition in Bangladesh.

Understanding the determinants of adolescent nutrition in Bangladesh.

Evidence on the nutritional status and diets of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries is scant. We characterized the nutritional status (body mass index Z-scores (BMIZs)) and nutrient intakes of adolescent boys and girls in rural areas in Bangladesh using the 2011-2012 BIHS data, used regression models to identify the socioeconomic determinants of these outcomes, and household fixed effects models to assess whether the gap between boys and girls changed with women's education and empowerment and household wealth. The adolescents' BMIZ and adequacy of their nutrient intakes were suboptimal. Gender differences varied by outcome and were not systematically in favor of boys. Household wealth was associated with higher BMIZ and probability of adequate energy and micronutrient intakes. Women's education and empowerment were mostly not associated with the study outcomes and did not modify gender differences. There is an urgent need to invest in improving the diets of adolescent boys and girls in Bangladesh. The limited role of women's education and empowerment in improving adolescent nutrition suggests that resources may be too constrained. It may also reflect deeply rooted beliefs about adolescent nutrition and differences between boys and girls that would need to be addressed to improve their nutrition.

FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT, SEASONALITY AND MATERNAL AND CHILDHOOD UNDERNUTRITION IN BANGLADESH.

This study assessed whether agricultural and household incomes were the same across different agro-ecological environments in Bangladesh. An in-depth analysis of the effect of unfavourable ecologies on maternal and child malnutrition was carried out. Data were from a longitudinal data set comprising a nationally representative data sample collected in 2014 and the Food Security Nutrition Surveillance Project (FSNSP) conducted in 2011 and 2012. Anthropometric indices were used to assess the nutritional status of mothers and under-five children. The key variables of interest were food seasonality and geographical location. Data were analysed using the General Linear Model and multinomial and binary logistic regression analysis. Panel data analysis showed that household income was not equal across agro-ecological zones, indicating that the fragility of the environment affects a household's ability to access food, and thus the nutritional status of mothers and children. Coastal areas of Bangladesh were found to be less dependent on agriculture, particularly cultivation, which had diminished during last few decades. Per capita income has been increasing in coastal areas of Bangladesh, led by remittance (money sent home by migrant workers) growing at 8% per year against 6% in other areas. Regression analysis showed that a household in a coastal zone earned 19% less than one in more favourable zones. Although the income from farm practices was found to be lower in unfavourable areas, the deficiency was compensated by increased non-farm incomes. The results from the FSNSP data showed that overall the rates of stunting and wasting among under-five children were 37% and 11.7%, respectively, and nearly 28% of mothers suffered from undernutrition. A highly significant regional heterogeneity in undernutrition was found, with alarmingly high levels in the Haor Basin and coastal belt areas. There were significantly higher rates of underweight and wasting in the monsoon season compared with the two harvest seasons among children under the age of five. The findings stress the importance of bringing geographical location and seasonality thinking into debates on hunger and nutrition in Bangladesh.

Nutritional status of adolescent girls in Bangladesh: findings of a community based survey

Poverty, large population, socio- economic inequalities and inadequate access to proper health care facilities are the key causes of under nutrition in Bangladesh. Adolescents are the most vulnerable group for under nutrition and having great consequence as they will be parent in future. Studies on nutritional status of adolescent girls are fewer in number and have great effect for intervention. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and predisposing factors of under nutrition among the adolescent girls in Bangladesh. A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out from July to December 2013. Adolescent girls were the study population. Data was collected by face to face interview at household level. According to BMI category (kg/m2) the prevalence of under-weight (BMI&lt;18.5) was found 65.9% and as per Gomez Classification (Weight for age), the prevalence of malnutrition was 48.2% (mild), 23.5% (moderate) and 2.8% (severe) categories and finally, as per Water Low Classification wasting found 16.6% (mild), 3.5%(moderate) and 0.2% severe categories. On the other hand, stunting found 39.6 % (mild), 9.2% (moderate) and 2.3% (severe) categories. Prevalence of under nutrition was found much higher (82.3%) among younger age group (?12 years). Higher prevalence of under-nutrition also found among the functionally illiterate adolescent girls, it was 75.8% and 51.3% among illiterate and literate group respectively. In both of the cases difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). The prevalence of illness found higher among under-weight adolescent girls in last two weeks compare to healthy adolescent girls both in rural and urban settings. This difference also found statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Under nourishment found higher among younger and low literate girls. Prevalence of other symptoms is also found higher among them.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.6(1) 2016: 3-7

Impact and cost-effectiveness of women's training in home gardening and nutrition in Bangladesh

ABSTRACTThis study quantifies the impact and cost-effectiveness of training poor rural women in Bangladesh in home gardening and nutrition. We use baseline and follow-up data for 646 intervention and control households and apply a difference-in-difference estimator. We find that the intervention significantly (p < 0.01) increased vegetable production (+16.5 g/person/day), vegetable consumption and the micronutrient supply from the garden. Using the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) approach, we show that the intervention can be considered cost-effective in abating iron, vitamin A and zinc deficiencies. Home garden interventions can therefore make an effective contribution to addressing micronutrient undernutrition.

Status of zinc nutrition in Bangladesh: the underlying associations.

Bangladesh is a country with a high burden of micronutrient malnutrition. Stunting affects 41% of children aged under 5 years. Zn is one of the key micronutrients that is associated with stunting. The present study, as part of the national micronutrient survey 2011-2012, revealed for the first time the nationally representative prevalence of Zn deficiency and determined the associations of the condition. A cross-sectional 'nationwide' survey was conducted in pre-school-age children (6-59 months; PSAC) and non-pregnant non-lactating women (15-49 years; NPNLW). Multistage random sampling was done in 150 clusters; fifty in each of the rural, urban and slum strata. Data were analysed on 662 PSAC and 1073 NPNLW. Serum Zn was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zn deficiency was defined as serum Zn of <9·9 and <10·1µmol/l in PSAC and NPNLW, respectively. The national prevalence of Zn deficiency was 44·6 and 57·3% in PSAC and NPNLW, respectively. In PSAC, it was 29·5, 48·6 and 51·7%, respectively, in urban, rural and slum strata. Household expenses (β=0·13; P=0·007), Hb (β=0·10; P=0·005), intake of animal-source Zn (β=0·096; P=0·02) and asset score (β=0·11; P=0·03) were positively associated with serum Zn in NPNLW. Residence in an urban area (β=0·33; P=0·03) and intake of plant-origin Zn (β=-0·13; P=0·038) determined higher and lower status of Zn in PSAC, respectively. Zn deficiency was highly prevalent in Bangladesh, and it was principally related to inadequate quality of diet. To improve Zn nutrition, Bangladesh needs to strengthen research and programmes related to Zn biofortification, fortification and phytate-reducing technologies in the food system in the short and medium term. In addition, promotion of animal-source Zn for all is important in the long run.

Agriculture and Nutrition in Bangladesh: Mapping Evidence to Pathways.

Although much work has been done on the theoretical links between agriculture and nutrition, there is limited understanding of the evidence from observational and experimental research studies on the impacts of agriculture programs on nutrition outcomes. To assess the emphasis of the literature on different agriculture-nutrition pathways in Bangladesh. Twenty databases and Web sites were searched, yielding more than 2400 resources that were pared down through an iterative, eliminative process to 60 articles. These articles were then rated for quality and mapped to 1 of the 6 agriculture-nutrition pathways. The body of evidence reveals gaps in knowledge in all of the pathways, but especially in the areas of agriculture as a source of livelihoods, and women's role as intermediaries between agriculture and good nutrition and health within their household. More research is needed on the links between agriculture and nutrition in country-specific settings, particularly as regards the role of women. Nutrition-related outcomes, such as dietary diversity and women's empowerment, need to be measured more explicitly when evaluating the impact of agricultural production systems and development initiatives.

Evaluation of nutritional properties of some small indigenous fishes species in Bangladesh

Small indigenous fish species (SIS) are cheap and easily available sources of nutrition in Bangladesh due to plenty of water resources. The proximate and mineral composition of 10 diverse SIS have been investigated. Amblypharyngodon mola (Mola) exhibited the highest percentage of both protein (17.95±1.34 %) and lipid (6.28±0.75 %) indicating a potent small fish with higher nutritive value. The lowest quantity of protein (14.29±0.66 %) and lipid (1.54±0.34) experienced in Esomus danricus (Darkina) and Awaous grammepomus (Bele) respectively. Channa punctata (Taki) is quantified as highest (3.47±1.23 mg/100g) in ash content but Gonialosa manmina as lowest (1.49±1.02 mg/100g). The maximum concentration of Ca (289.70±0.68 mg/100g), Mg (182.48 ±0.43) and Fe (2.02±0.49) observed in Chanda nama (Nama chanda), Channa punctata (Taki) and Batasio tengana (Tengra) respectively. The result of our present study implies that the average nutritive values of SIS were adequate in quantities. Hence, increasing the SIS consumption in mass poor people of Bangladesh might be helpful to achieve their nutritional requirement. *Corresponding Author: Mohajira Begum  mohajira10@yahoo.com

Food crop production, nutrient availability, and nutrient intakes in Bangladesh: exploring the agriculture-nutrition nexus with the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

Systematic collection of national agricultural data has been neglected in many low- and middle-income countries for the past 20 years. Commonly conducted nationally representative household surveys collect substantial quantities of highly underutilized food crop production data. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of commonly available household survey databases for analyzing the agriculture-nutrition nexus. Using household data from the 2010 Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey, the role and significance of crop selection, area planted, yield, nutrient production, and the disposition of 34 food crops in affecting the adequacy of farming households' nutrient availability and nutrient intake status are explored. The adequacy of each farming household's available energy, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc and households' apparent intakes and intake adequacies are estimated. Each household's total apparent nutrient intake adequacies are estimated, taking into account the amount of each crop that households consume from their own production, together with food purchased or obtained from other sources. Even though rice contains relatively small amounts of micronutrients, has relatively low nutrient density, and is a relatively poor source of nutrients compared with what other crops can produce on a given tract of land, because so much rice is produced in Bangladesh, it is the source of 90% of the total available energy, 85% of the zinc, 67% of the calcium, and 55% of the iron produced by the agricultural sector. The domination of agriculture and diet by rice is a major constraint to improving nutrition in Bangladesh. Simple examples of how minor changes in the five most common cropping patterns could improve farming households' nutritional status are provided. Household surveys' agricultural modules can provide a useful tool for better understanding national nutrient production realities and possibilities.

Impact of wealth inequality on child nutrition in Bangladesh

Background The prevalence of malnutrition in Bangladesh isamong the highest in the world. Millions of women and childrensuffer from one or more forms of main utrition, including low birthweight, wasting, stunting, underweight, vitamin A deficiency,iodine deficiency disorders, and anemia. Today malnutritionnot only affects individuals, but its effects are passed from onegeneration to the next as malnourished mothers give birth toinfants wh o struggle to develop and thrive.Objective To assess the economic impact on child nutrition inBangladesh.Methods The 2011 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey datawas used for this study. In this study, quintiles were calculatedbased on asset and wealth scores by use of principal componentanalysis. To understand the nutritional status and healthinequality, concentration index was also calculated.Results The negative concentration index showed a higher rateof malnutrition in the children less than five years of age from thepoorest class. Furthermore, the ratio of poorest to richest indicatedthat stunting and underweight conditions in rural children underfive years of age were almost two times higher than that of therichest children. This inequality in the health situation of childrenmay be explained in terms of income inequality. In Bangladesh,about 40% of the wealth is concentrated in 10% of the families.The results are discussed as possible input for public policy.Conclusion Bangladeshi children under the age of five yearsand in the poorest economic class are nearly twice as likely to beunderweight or stunted compared to children of similar age in therichest economic class

Impact of wealth inequality on child nutrition in Bangladesh

Impact of wealth inequality on child nutrition in Bangladesh

Rural-urban disparities in child nutrition in Bangladesh and Nepal

BackgroundThe persistence of rural-urban disparities in child nutrition outcomes in developing countries alongside rapid urbanisation and increasing incidence of child malnutrition in urban areas raises an important health policy question - whether fundamentally different nutrition policies and interventions are required in rural and urban areas. Addressing this question requires an enhanced understanding of the main drivers of rural-urban disparities in child nutrition outcomes especially for the vulnerable segments of the population. This study applies recently developed statistical methods to quantify the contribution of different socio-economic determinants to rural-urban differences in child nutrition outcomes in two South Asian countries – Bangladesh and Nepal.MethodsUsing DHS data sets for Bangladesh and Nepal, we apply quantile regression-based counterfactual decomposition methods to quantify the contribution of (1) the differences in levels of socio-economic determinants (covariate effects) and (2) the differences in the strength of association between socio-economic determinants and child nutrition outcomes (co-efficient effects) to the observed rural-urban disparities in child HAZ scores. The methodology employed in the study allows the covariate and coefficient effects to vary across entire distribution of child nutrition outcomes. This is particularly useful in providing specific insights into factors influencing rural-urban disparities at the lower tails of child HAZ score distributions. It also helps assess the importance of individual determinants and how they vary across the distribution of HAZ scores.ResultsThere are no fundamental differences in the characteristics that determine child nutrition outcomes in urban and rural areas. Differences in the levels of a limited number of socio-economic characteristics – maternal education, spouse’s education and the wealth index (incorporating household asset ownership and access to drinking water and sanitation) contribute a major share of rural-urban disparities in the lowest quantiles of child nutrition outcomes. Differences in the strength of association between socio-economic characteristics and child nutrition outcomes account for less than a quarter of rural-urban disparities at the lower end of the HAZ score distribution.ConclusionsPublic health interventions aimed at overcoming rural-urban disparities in child nutrition outcomes need to focus principally on bridging gaps in socio-economic endowments of rural and urban households and improving the quality of rural infrastructure. Improving child nutrition outcomes in developing countries does not call for fundamentally different approaches to public health interventions in rural and urban areas.

Shared environments: a multilevel analysis of community context and child nutritional status in Bangladesh

The goal of the present study was to examine the influence of community environment on the nutritional status (weight-for-age and height-for-age) of children (aged 0-59 months) in Bangladesh. In addition, we tested the association between specific characteristics of community environments and child nutritional status. Cross-sectional survey. The data are from the nationally representative 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Respondents were ever-married women (aged 15-49 years) and their children (n 5731), residing in 361 communities. Child nutritional outcomes are physical measurements of weight-for-age and height-for-age in sd units. We considered the following attributes of community environments potentially related to child nutrition: (i) community water and sanitation infrastructure; (ii) availability of community health and education services; (iii) community employment and social participation; and (iv) education level of the community. Multilevel regression analysis showed that the spatial distribution of maternal and child covariates did not entirely explain the between-community variation in child nutritional status. The education level of the community emerged as the strongest community-level predictor of child height-for-age (highest v. lowest tertile, β = 0.18 (SE 0.07)) and weight-for-age (highest v. lowest tertile, β = 0.21 (SE 0.06)). In the height-for-age model, community employment and social participation also emerged as being statistically significant (highest v. lowest tertile, β = 0.13 (SE = 0.06)). The community environment influences child nutrition in Bangladesh, and maternal- and child-level covariates may fail to capture the entire influence of communities. Interventions to reduce child undernutrition in developing countries should take into consideration the wider community context.

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals for Health and Nutrition in Bangladesh: Key Issues and Interventions - An Introduction

Newcomers to Bangladesh tend to consider this to be a small country because of its small geographic size. However, public-health professionals are less focused on the size of the landmass than they are on the size of the population. Geographic and environmental features shown on maps do influence the health of the population; this is especially true in Bangladesh where the density of population is far higher than any other country that is not a city state. This high density of population, along with poverty and the estuarine environment, contributes significantly to health issues for Bangladesh. However, typical maps do not reveal many features needed to understand the health issues of the country.