Objectives: The present study aims to identify trends in the nutrition situation among children and women in urban areas of Bangladesh. It also explores potential inconsistencies in the reduction of undernutrition and gaps in relevant program activities and provides recommendations based on these findings.
Methods: The relevant child and maternal nutrition-related indicators were obtained from different national and sub-national (urban) surveys in Bangladesh. The child nutrition-related indicators included low birth weight (LBW), stunting, wasting, underweight, micronutrient deficiencies, and infant and young child feeding practices. The nutritional status of the women of reproductive age (WRA), maternal access to healthcare services, and post-partum vitamin A supplementation were included as maternal nutrition-related indicators.
Results: Child undernutrition has impressively reduced over the last 15 years in Bangladesh's urban and rural areas. However, stunting, wasting, and underweight remain at 28%, 10%, and 28% respectively in urban slum areas. The prevalence of LBW was 22.6% in 2015, and urban slum children were more LBW in every division of Bangladesh (39.6% in Barisal urban slum) than in the rural and other urban areas. About three-fourths of the urban children had at least one micronutrient (vitamin A, zinc, and iron) deficiency. The prevalence of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth increased over the years in urban areas from 24-29% in 2006 to 91-92% in 2019. On the contrary, the estimates of exclusive breastfeeding remained stagnant at 57% in urban non-slum areas while reduced in slum areas (62% in 2016 to 49% in 2019). The estimates of minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were reduced in urban areas. They remained low in non-slum areas (MDD: 42%, MMF: 50%, MAD: 23%). Thinness among the WRA decreased while the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased. Moreover, maternal antenatal care, institutional delivery, and delivery assistance have substantially increased in urban slums and non-slum areas.
Conclusions: Although efforts have been made to improve the nutrition situation among children and women in urban areas of Bangladesh, harmonized policy and strategic programs are required for sustainable achievement.
