Bangladesh Country Investment Plan - Feed the Future

6 Priorities
from
Consultatio
n Process
(Brief
description
of
activities)
B. Priority Interventions
Throughout the consultation process, nutrition has emerged as a key priority for
Bangladesh, especially with reference to maternal and young children’s nutrition
improvement. In order to strengthen nutrition interventions and orient nutrition
policies, key food and nutrition information is required. There is currently a lack of
available, up-to-date nutrition-related data. The national nutrition survey was
conducted every 10 years since the early 1960’s, but the last available data is from
1995/1996.
Updating and establishing national Food Consumption Table (FCT) is required to :
serve as a nutrition planning tool in agriculture, food, health and trade sectors;
agriculture and nutrition research, nutritional assessment, formulation of national
and institutional diets, nutrition education and training, epidemiological research on
relationship between diet and disease, nutrition labelling, food standards and safety
regulations .
The key prioritized interventions are as follows:
Undertake comprehensive national survey of food consumption &
update food composition
An updated and comprehensive food consumption survey is essential to inform
programme implementers on actual food and nutrient intakes, track dietary changes,
identify nutritional gaps and set food production and consumption targets, based on
nutrition improvement goals and indicators. In the context of the recent introduction
of high yielding crop and non crop varieties (HYVs), an update of food composition
tables will be key to orient research, extension and production of improved seeds.
An updated FCT is required for setting food and nutrition standards specific to
Bangladesh, as well as recommended dietary allowances for all nutrients as well as
bioactive compounds essential for good health.
Undertake study of dietary diversification and supplementation needs and develop
advocacy, awareness and educational materials to facilitate behavioural change in
eating habits and practices
This activity will be key in establishing associations between dietary diversity and
nutrient adequacy, and between dietary diversity and household food security and
strengthening the evidence base of nutrition interventions especially for the
vulnerable groups in Bangladesh.
Strengthen national capacities in surveying and analysis to facilitate evidence
based decisions
Key organizations involved in strengthening nutrition in Bangladesh – the Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare and the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science
(INFS), Dhaka University– have qualified personnel and good laboratories,
however, human and physical capacities still require strengthening. In addition,
support in order to undertake field surveys is needed.
The prioritized activities are: Update food consumption survey, food composition
tables (H). Work out updated nutrition messages and build capacities (H).
Updated Bangladesh Country Investment Plan: A Road Map Towards investing in Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
2 June 2011
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