Malnutrition

Bangladesh Context

Presented To

Dr. Arfiul Bari Chowdhury

Lecturer
PBH 101 (Intro. To Public Health)
Presented By

Tawfiq Sadat Siddiqui 072-514-030 Sec-10

Nazmul Hasan 073-101-030 Sec-10
Mohammed Mahib Ullah 073-267-030 Sec-11
Nadia Sharmin Sejuti 091-0225-030 Sec-11
Md. Tanvir Hossain 101-0756-030 Sec-11
Md. Atiqul Islam 101-0816-630 Sec-11
What is Malnutrition?
The term malnutrition generally refers both to under nutrition
and over nutrition
According to WHO (World Health Organization) -
“Malnutrition or under nutrition can be defined as a state in which
the physical function of an individual is impaired to the point where
he or she can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities such as
growth, pregnancy, lactation, learning abilities, physical work and
resisting or recovering from disease.”
925 million malnourished people in the world in 2010
World’s food production is enough to feed everyone
Types of Malnutrition
Over nutrition Secondary malnutrition

Too many calories leading to- Diversion of nutrients to parasitic agents

themselves-
•Obesity
•Diabetes •Hookworms
•Hypertension •Tapeworms
•Cardiovascular disease •Malaria
Prevents proper digestion or absorption

Micronutrient malnutrition Protein Calorie malnutrition

Dietary Deficiencies of- Protein needed for -

•Vitamin A •Normal growth

•Iodine •Build muscles
•Iron •Antibodies
•Others: Zinc, vitamins D, C, and Bs
Malnutrition in Bangladesh
The state of nutrition status in Bangladesh Source: IFPRI (2004)
Dimension of malnutrition Data for Bangladesh Remarks

1. Low birth weight 30-50% of live births 50% of low birth weight due to
poor maternal nutrition
2. Women’s thinness  14.4%(1997) ~ 12.1%(1999/2000) (Low body mass index)

4. Anaemia rates About 50% of preschool children, Poor data on anaemia and
women of reproductive age, and anaemia due to iron deficiency
adolescents are anaemic.

5. Vitamin A status 50% (1995) ~ 80% (2000). Poor data on vitamin A deficiency

6. Iodine status 69% (1993) ~ 43% (1999)  

Causes of Malnutrition in Bangladesh

Hunger
Natural Disasters
Drug Abuse
Special diets
Causes of Malnutrition in Bangladesh
Diet and Lifestyle
Inadequate Care of Women and Children
Inability of women to claim key rights
Health and Sanitation Environment
Malnutrition : Symptoms
Fatigue and low energy

Dizziness

Poor immune function

Dry, scaly skin

Swollen and bleeding gums

Decaying teeth

Slowed reaction times and trouble paying attention

Malnutrition : Symptoms
•Underweight
•Poor growth
•Muscle weakness
•Bloated stomach
•Osteoporosis or fragile bones that break easily
•Problems with organ function
•Problems learning
Effects : Nutrition in the Life Cycle
•Malnutrition passes from
one generation to the next

•Malnourished mothers give

birth to malnourished
infants

•If they are girls, these

children often become
malnourished mothers

•and the vicious cycle

continues.
Attain MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) : Nutrition’s
contributions
 MDG-1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Malnourished people lack mental & physical ability to fight
against poverty & hunger
• Malnourished people deprived of getting food & job

 MDG-2: Achieve universal primary education

• Malnutrition reduces mental capacity
• Reduces school performance of children

 MDG-3: Promote gender equality and empower women

• Better-nourished girls are more likely to stay in school
• Have more control over future choices.
Attain MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) : Nutrition’s
contributions
 MDG-4: Reduce child mortality
• Malnutrition is directly or indirectly associated with more
than 50% of all child mortality

 MDG-5: Improve maternal health

• Anti-female bias in allocations of food, health, and care
• Risk factors for maternal mortality

 MDG-6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

• Malnutrition weakens resistance to infections
• Facilitate early stages of AIDS among the HIV-positive.
 Current policies responses to
malnutrition
Government policy documents that relate to nutrition in
Bangladesh include:

o Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP)

o National Nutrition Project (NNP)

o Bangladesh National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN)

Gaps & failures of policies
No strong recognition of the role that improved nutrition status
plays in advancing a wide range of MDGs

Not well-targeted to the most deprived areas and not at all to

urban areas

Implementation via contracts with NGOs did not consider NGO

capacity

Diverted resources away from other programs & poor

coordination with other programs
Recommendation
Ensuring food security for poor households

Review agricultural investments in non-staples that are high

nutrition value added

Educating parents and family members to understand the

importance of nutrition in early childhood

Protecting children from infections with provision of safe

water and sanitation
Recommendation
Improving unhealthy environment

Nutrition programs need to include both a homestead

food production

Paying special attention to the nutritional needs of girls

and women

Empowering women by providing the opportunities to

build in their skills and social capital.
THANKS

The orange ribbon

awareness ribbon for malnutrition