Economic disparity and a lack of awareness about nutrition remain significant barriers to achieving this goal in Bangladesh, writes Md Arman Chowdhury.
THE phrase ‘children are the future of the nation’ is often repeated in discussions and seminars, yet the true significance of these words is frequently overlooked in practice. The well-being of children is directly tied to the future prosperity of any country and ensuring their physical and mental development is a national imperative. Without adequate nutrition, children cannot grow into the capable and healthy individuals who will eventually shape the country’s trajectory. However, economic disparity and a lack of awareness about nutrition remain significant barriers to achieving this goal in Bangladesh.
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of a child’s physical and cognitive development, but for many families, particularly those in low-income urban areas, ensuring proper nutrition is a formidable challenge. Rapid urbanisation has exacerbated this issue. According to UNICEF, nearly 40 per cent of Bangladesh’s 53 million urban dwellers are children, with a significant portion living in slums. Studies such as the Child Well-being Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey highlight that children in urban slums are often worse off nutritionally than their rural counterparts. The limited availability of nutritious food, coupled with parental unawareness regarding child nutrition, has resulted in widespread malnutrition among urban children.
For optimal development, infants must receive exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by a balanced diet comprising carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. This nutritional foundation strengthens their immune systems and fosters healthy growth. However, many parents, especially in impoverished urban communities, lack the knowledge necessary to implement these practices. Consequently, severe malnutrition has become increasingly prevalent. Government data indicates that the number of hospital admissions due to acute malnutrition surged by over 72 per cent between 2020 and 2021.
Malnutrition is a leading cause of illness and mortality among children under five. The World Health Organisation reports that in Bangladesh, approximately 40 per cent of children in urban slums suffer from stunted growth, meaning they fail to reach the expected height for their age due to chronic malnutrition. Such children are more susceptible to diseases, face a higher likelihood of dropping out of school and tend to have reduced work capacity in adulthood. These long-term consequences perpetuate the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment, hindering national progress. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to infections such as tuberculosis, respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal disorders, which further compromise their chances of leading healthy, productive lives. The impact extends beyond the individual, as widespread malnutrition places a significant strain on healthcare services and the broader economy.
Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth is crucial, as breast milk provides essential nutrients that protect against common childhood illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhoea. Yet, according to UNICEF, only 48.1 per cent of newborns in poor families receive immediate breastfeeding, compared to 62.5 per cent in wealthier households. Government statistics further indicate that pneumonia and diarrhoea remain leading causes of child mortality in Bangladesh, demonstrating the need for targeted interventions in poor communities. Given these statistics, a renewed emphasis on maternal education regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and appropriate supplementary feeding is urgently needed.
Bangladesh has made commendable strides in food production and nutrition initiatives, but gaps remain, particularly in urban slums. The government, in collaboration with various organisations, is working to improve access to nutritious food for underprivileged children. The Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery Project, led by the Local Government Division, is currently operational in 11 city corporations and 18 municipalities, providing primary healthcare and nutritional education to mothers and children in low-income areas. While such initiatives are vital, they must be expanded and better integrated with awareness campaigns to ensure sustained impact. The role of community health workers in disseminating critical nutritional information cannot be overstated. These workers are often the first point of contact for vulnerable families, making them instrumental in guiding parents towards healthier feeding practices.
A pervasive misconception among many parents is that a balanced diet is prohibitively expensive. Addressing this misunderstanding is critical to improving child nutrition in low-income communities. Affordable meal plans that incorporate essential nutrients must be promoted through community engagement initiatives. Healthcare providers and social workers should be equipped with the necessary training to educate parents on cost-effective ways to ensure their children receive the necessary nutrition. Locally available foods such as lentils, leafy vegetables, eggs and seasonal fruits can provide the required nutrients at a reasonable cost. The government and non-governmental organisations should also consider implementing food assistance programmes that specifically target pregnant women and young children in impoverished communities, ensuring that nutritional deficiencies are addressed from the earliest stages of life.
The responsibility of ensuring children’s nutritional well-being cannot rest solely on the government or NGOs. Parents must also play an active role in prioritising their children’s health. Awareness programmes, school-based nutrition education and community-driven initiatives must work in tandem to break the cycle of malnutrition. Schools, in particular, can serve as an effective platform for introducing children to healthy eating habits through meal programmes and interactive nutritional workshops. Moreover, local governments must work closely with food producers and retailers to make nutritious food more affordable and accessible for low-income families.
The challenge of child malnutrition in Bangladesh is deeply intertwined with economic hardship, lack of awareness and limited access to essential resources. While progress has been made, much work remains to be done. A comprehensive approach involving government action, parental responsibility and community engagement is required to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow into a healthy, capable adult. Only through collective effort can Bangladesh secure a healthier, more prosperous future for its children and, by extension, for the nation itself.
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Dr Md Arman Chowdhury is a junior consultant (M&E) of Urban Primary Health Care Services Delivery Project-II.
