Quick Facts
- Over six million children in Bangladesh suffer from chronic undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
- 40% of school-aged children have nutritional anemia
- Nearly 90% of school-aged kids in Dhaka experience iodine deficiency
- Vitamin A deficiency affects 20% of school-aged children, increasing the risk of childhood blindness and weakening immune function.
- Zinc deficiency and protein-energy deficiency are common in low-income families, leading to stunting and underweight children.
Over six million children living in Bangladesh face chronic undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. The most common being nutritional anemia, vitamin A, zinc, iodine, and protein-energy deficiency.
Nutritional anemia, or iron deficiency anemia, affects more than 40% of school-aged children in Bangladesh. Traditional dietary practices and the cost often prioritize rice-heavy meals over iron-rich foods like meat, fish, poultry, and legumes.
Rice is a rich source of phytate, but when taken in high quantities, it lowers the body’s ability to absorb iron, contributing to iron deficiency anemia in children. The impact of nutritional anemia is particularly severe, with adolescent girls at greater risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
Nutritional anemia in school-aged girls can weaken immune function and delay growth, increasing their susceptibility to illnesses. Recent studies in the haor areas of Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh, show that 39% of school-aged girls experience higher levels of stunting compared to 36% of boys in the same age group.
Studies show that over 20% of school-aged children in Bangladesh have vitamin A deficiency. Children with iron deficiency anemia are also at higher risk for vitamin A deficiency due to their low intake of vitamin A-rich foods like fruits, dairy, and leafy vegetables. These foods aid in producing rhodopsin, a protein in the retina responsible for vision in low-light settings.
Vitamin A deficiency has severe consequences, including blindness (World Health Organization). In Bangladesh, 19% of school-aged children between the ages of 5 and 15 experience Xerophthalmia, which causes eye dryness and can lead to blindness.
Zinc deficiency is another significant concern among school-aged children in Bangladesh. Zinc is an essential micronutrient found in animal products like meat, fish, and dairy. However, for many low-income families in Bangladesh, these primary dietary sources of zinc are often too expensive and less accessible, leading to a higher reliance on a low-zinc rice-based diet. Evidence suggests that zinc deficiency can contribute to stunted growth in children. In Dhaka’s slums, between 48 to 56% of school-aged children are stunted, and 34 to 62% are underweight.
Research shows that school enrollment may drop by up to 26% as stunted children are much less likely to start school at the right age. Evidence highlights a significant impact on grade achievement in Bangladesh as school-aged kids who experience stunting are 31% less likely to be in the correct grade for their age.
Widespread malnutrition often leads to marasmus (wasting), stunting, and kwashiorkor (delayed growth), which are also associated with protein-energy deficiency. One of the primary causes of protein-energy malnutrition is the traditional dietary pattern, which relies heavily on rice and has limited protein sources.
Food insecurity affects over 30% of families in Bangladesh, making it difficult for many households to provide protein-rich meals for their children. It is particularly severe in rural areas and urban slums, where families have limited access to diverse and nutritious foods, putting children at a higher risk of malnutrition.
Research on school-going children in both tribal and non-tribal communities in Bangladesh reveals alarming statistics, with over 15% of children suffering from thinness -low body mass index for their age and 17% experiencing stunting -low height for age.
The nutritional gap in iodine intake may impact the development of school-aged kids. Iodine deficiency affects approximately 40% of school-aged children in Bangladesh. Iodine is an essential mineral for producing thyroid hormones that regulate growth, development, and metabolism. Without adequate iodine, children are at risk of impaired cognitive development and other health complications.
The primary cause of iodine deficiency is low consumption of iodine-rich foods, such as dairy products and fish. Additionally, many children from low-income families are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to iodized salt, a key dietary source of iodine.
A study conducted in Dhaka among children aged 6 to 12 found that 83% of the participants were iodine deficient. The youngest age group, 6 to 8, had the highest deficiency rate, at nearly 90%, followed by 9-—to 10-year-olds, at 80%, and 11-—to 12-year-olds, at 77%.
Addressing these nutritional gaps is essential to promoting healthier childhood development. Thrive helps bridge this gap by providing nutritious food through free school lunches, improving micronutrient status, and preventing nutritional deficiencies among school-aged children in low-income communities.
