Gap between calorie intake, requirements is wide
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
FE Report
Around 68 per cent of the population live an inactive life who are consuming more calories than they actually need or are in fact, in calorie surplus. On the other hand an alarming situation has been identified for children (under 10 years) whose calorie intake is found to be well below their needs.
This was noted in a study of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). The study titled, "Determinants of food availability and consumption patters and setting up of nutritional standard in Bangladesh," said the gap between dietary calorie intake and requirements is wide.
The population of Bangladesh depends principally on cereals for their calorie needs, with rice and wheat accounting for 76 per cent of calories, non-cereal products 17 per cent and animal foods only 6.0 per cent.
According to the study, large sections of the population are not able to meet their calorie needs as determined by their age and physical activity levels while being at another level. Even those who are able to meet calorie needs suffer from the hidden hunger associated with malnutrition and the lack of access to a balanced diet.
The researchers KAS Murshid, Nazrul Islam Khan, Quazi Shahabuddin, M Yunus and Salma Akhter said there is enough rice and cereals for everyone (especially if one adopts 380 grams). The problem, they said, is with distribution and access, and the non-availability of non-cereal calorie sources at a price that the poor can afford.
Demand for foodgrain is expected to reach 37.55 million tonnes with rice 35.35 million tonnes and wheat 2.20 million tonnes in 2015 under the current level of economic growth. Projected supply of rice and wheat for 2015 was estimated at 31 million tonnes.
The study found that while oilseeds and pulses, along with wheat are in decline, other sectors like fisheries, meat-poultry-eggs, and milk have done well. Despite these successes, per capita availability remains pitifully low in comparison with Asian or regional standards.
Food security indicators showed that seven per cent of households face acute distress with regard to food access on a regular basis while up to 30 per cent suffer such conditions 'sometimes'.
It appears, the study said, poverty, gender concerns, availability of food products and costs, market situation and price hike, livelihood options and opportunities are important in ensuring food security.
Seasonality, natural disasters and high price of agricultural products and lack of direct market access have contributed to the vulnerability of the farmers. For the non-farming households, land ownership, lack of industrial or permanent jobs, dependence on low-skilled irregular self-employment, and price-hike of food items have put huge pressure on their financial ability to afford nutritional food for their families.
One major reason for malnutrition of family members is the high price of almost all food items, particularly meat, egg, milk, and fruits.
The strategy that has to be developed now is how to ensure adequate supply of food (cereal, non-cereal, animal); how to enable access and ensure distribution; and how to raise awareness of critical stakeholders to these concerns, the researchers said. A concerted approach to improve awareness among men, especially with regard to the importance of adequate nutrition for pregnant and lactating women and children, is likely to be very useful, they added.
Around 68 per cent of the population live an inactive life who are consuming more calories than they actually need or are in fact, in calorie surplus. On the other hand an alarming situation has been identified for children (under 10 years) whose calorie intake is found to be well below their needs.
This was noted in a study of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). The study titled, "Determinants of food availability and consumption patters and setting up of nutritional standard in Bangladesh," said the gap between dietary calorie intake and requirements is wide.
The population of Bangladesh depends principally on cereals for their calorie needs, with rice and wheat accounting for 76 per cent of calories, non-cereal products 17 per cent and animal foods only 6.0 per cent.
According to the study, large sections of the population are not able to meet their calorie needs as determined by their age and physical activity levels while being at another level. Even those who are able to meet calorie needs suffer from the hidden hunger associated with malnutrition and the lack of access to a balanced diet.
The researchers KAS Murshid, Nazrul Islam Khan, Quazi Shahabuddin, M Yunus and Salma Akhter said there is enough rice and cereals for everyone (especially if one adopts 380 grams). The problem, they said, is with distribution and access, and the non-availability of non-cereal calorie sources at a price that the poor can afford.
Demand for foodgrain is expected to reach 37.55 million tonnes with rice 35.35 million tonnes and wheat 2.20 million tonnes in 2015 under the current level of economic growth. Projected supply of rice and wheat for 2015 was estimated at 31 million tonnes.
The study found that while oilseeds and pulses, along with wheat are in decline, other sectors like fisheries, meat-poultry-eggs, and milk have done well. Despite these successes, per capita availability remains pitifully low in comparison with Asian or regional standards.
Food security indicators showed that seven per cent of households face acute distress with regard to food access on a regular basis while up to 30 per cent suffer such conditions 'sometimes'.
It appears, the study said, poverty, gender concerns, availability of food products and costs, market situation and price hike, livelihood options and opportunities are important in ensuring food security.
Seasonality, natural disasters and high price of agricultural products and lack of direct market access have contributed to the vulnerability of the farmers. For the non-farming households, land ownership, lack of industrial or permanent jobs, dependence on low-skilled irregular self-employment, and price-hike of food items have put huge pressure on their financial ability to afford nutritional food for their families.
One major reason for malnutrition of family members is the high price of almost all food items, particularly meat, egg, milk, and fruits.
The strategy that has to be developed now is how to ensure adequate supply of food (cereal, non-cereal, animal); how to enable access and ensure distribution; and how to raise awareness of critical stakeholders to these concerns, the researchers said. A concerted approach to improve awareness among men, especially with regard to the importance of adequate nutrition for pregnant and lactating women and children, is likely to be very useful, they added.