Trends and inequities in food, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes in rural Bangladesh

Background: Tracking dietary changes can inform strategies to improve nutrition, yet there is limited evidence on food consumption patterns and how disparities in food and nutrient intakes have changed in Bangladesh.

Objectives: We assessed trends and adequacies in energy and macronutrient intakes and evaluated changes in inequities by age group, sex, and expenditure quintile.

Methods: We used panel data from the 2011 and 2018 Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (n = 20,339 and 19,818 household members aged ≥2 y, respectively). Dietary intakes were collected using 24-h recall and food-weighing methods. Changes in energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed using generalized linear models and adjusted Wald tests. Inequities in outcomes were examined by age group, sex, and expenditure quintile using the Slope Index of Inequality and Concentration Index.

Results: Between 2011 and 2018, dietary diversity improved across sex and age groups (30–46% in children, 60–65% in adolescents, 37–87% in adults), but diets remain imbalanced with ∼70% of energy coming from carbohydrates. There were declines in intakes of energy (3–8%), protein (3–9%), and carbohydrate (9–16%) for all age groups (except children aged 2–5 y), but an increase in fat intake (57–68% in children and 22–40% in adults). Insufficient intake remained high for protein (>50% among adults) and fat (>80%), whereas excessive carbohydrate intake was >70%. Insufficient energy, protein, and fat intakes, and excessive carbohydrate intakes, were more prevalent among poor households across survey years. Inequity gaps decreased for insufficient energy intake in most age groups, remained stable for insufficient protein intake, and increased for insufficient fat and excessive carbohydrate intakes.

Conclusions: Despite improvements in dietary diversity, diets remain imbalanced and inequities in insufficient energy, protein, and fat intakes persist. Our findings call for coherent sets of policies and investments toward a well-functioning food system and social protection to promote healthier, more equitable diets in rural Bangladesh.