Bangladesh continues to face a significant challenge with widespread child malnutrition despite more than fifty years of independence. Approximately one in four children in the country suffer from stunting, indicating their height is below the standard for their age. Additionally, 22% of children are underweight, and 11% experience wasting, a severe form of malnutrition. Low birth weight affects one in ten newborns, impacting their long-term physical health and cognitive development negatively.
The issue is exacerbated by poor dietary practices in Bangladesh. More than half of the children do not receive exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life, and 72% lack adequate complementary foods. Only 1 in 5 children have a diversified diet, while the majority rely on a limited range of foods daily, which fails to meet their basic nutritional needs. This nutritional deficiency hampers children’s physical and mental growth, leading to adverse educational outcomes, reduced productivity in adulthood, and increased susceptibility to illness. The economic impact is significant, amounting to approximately $1 billion annually, hindering national progress.
Child malnutrition is a complex challenge that transcends the health sector, requiring coordinated efforts from local government, civil society, and the private sector. Collaboration among these key stakeholders is crucial to charting a sustainable path forward.
Proper nutrition for children begins during pregnancy and remains critical throughout the first two years of life. Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences a child’s birth weight, growth, and immunity. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months provides essential nutrients and immune protection, while age-appropriate complementary foods are necessary after six months, alongside continued breastfeeding for up to two years or more.
To support healthy development, children’s diets should include sufficient calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, access to clean water, safe sanitation, immunization, and personal hygiene are vital. Well-nourished children contribute more effectively to society as adults. Therefore, investing in nutrition is an investment in the future.
Child malnutrition stems from various factors, including inadequate and unvaried food intake. Many children predominantly consume staple carbohydrates like rice without adequate protein or micronutrient-rich foods. Poor breastfeeding practices, misinformation, and sociocultural barriers further exacerbate the issue.
Frequent occurrences of diarrhoea, pneumonia, and parasitic infections hinder nutrient absorption and appetite. Contaminated food and water, substandard hygiene, and unsafe living conditions contribute to nutrient loss. Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation results in low birth weight and inadequate milk production, directly impacting child health.
Insufficient knowledge among caregivers about feeding practices, widespread poverty, food insecurity, and social or gender discrimination also limit children’s access to nutritious food. These factors not only impede individual potential but also undermine national development.
Local government institutions, such as union parishads, upazila parishads, and municipalities, play a crucial role in leading nutrition efforts at the grassroots level. They can raise community awareness, monitor food safety, support nutrition education in schools, promote good agricultural practices, and expand immunization coverage.
Despite their strategic importance, these institutions often do not allocate budgets for nutrition, particularly child nutrition. The lack of inclusion of nutrition in government budget formats poses a challenge. Targeted budget allocations and implementation, as demonstrated by projects like Right2Grow, can drive tangible progress in nutrition outcomes.
Civil society organizations and NGOs are essential partners in raising awareness, promoting breastfeeding, delivering nutrition to vulnerable groups, and supporting healthcare workers. They can engage communities through participatory approaches and advocate for child nutrition at local and national levels.
One major obstacle is political interference. Civil society must maintain impartiality and evidence-based approaches to be effective. Securing sustainable public financing for nutrition necessitates strong political commitment. Thus, civil society must engage in robust advocacy to elevate child nutrition on the agendas of local and national governments.
Budget tracking and monitoring are critical for effective nutrition interventions. However, limited access to data often hinders these efforts, jeopardizing transparency and accountability in nutrition-related spending.
The private sector also plays a vital role in transforming child nutrition. From producing and marketing safe and nutritious foods to supporting school feeding programs through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, businesses can influence both supply and demand. They can collaborate with the government and NGOs to produce affordable, nutrient-rich foods, invest in research and development of fortified staples and micronutrient-enriched products, and enhance supply chains to reach remote communities.
Through public-private partnerships, the private sector can contribute to water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives, provide nutrition education, and introduce sustainable technologies to promote healthy choices.
Child nutrition is not just a health concern but a crucial aspect of national development. It reflects our values, priorities, and commitment to future generations. Only through coordinated efforts involving government, civil society, and the private sector can Bangladesh ensure a healthier, more intelligent, and resilient population.