Bangladesh 2014

In many countries chronic energy deficiency, characterized by a BMI of less than 18.5 among
women, remains the predominant problem, leading to low work productivity and less resistance to illness.
Low pre-pregnancy BMI and short stature of women are known risk factors for poor maternal and birth
outcomes. Overweight and obese women are also predisposed to a wide range of health problems. Maternal
obesity can lead to several adverse maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy, delivery, and
postpartum (Van Lieshout et al. 2011). It increases the risk for childhood obesity that continues into
adolescence and adulthood, potentiating transgenerational transmission of obesity (Black et al. 2013).
The 2014 BDHS measured the height and weight of ever-married women age 15-49. The data are
used to derive two measures of nutritional status: height and body mass index (BMI). Given the relationship
between maternal stature and pelvic size, women’s height can be useful in predicting the risk of difficulties
in delivery. The risk of giving birth to low-weight babies is also higher among women of small stature. The
cut-off point at which mothers are considered at risk because of short stature normally falls between 140 and
150 centimeters.
Table 11.8 presents nutritional indicators for women by various background characteristics. The
analysis excludes women for whom there was no information on height and/or weight and women for whom
a BMI could not be estimated because they were pregnant or had given birth in the preceding two months.
The height analysis is based on 17,710 ever-married women age 15-49, while the analysis of BMI is based
on 16,478 women.
Table 11.8 Nutritional status of ever-married women
Among ever-married women age 15-49, the percentage with height under 145 cm, mean body mass index (BMI), and the percentage with specific BMI levels, by
background characteristics, Bangladesh 2014
Height Body mass index 1
Mean
body