Progress of Severe, Moderate and Global Acute Malnutrition among Children in Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh has achieved remarkable economic growth and improved various health indicators, childhood malnutrition still is a big concern in improving child health in Bangladesh. This paper explores the prevalence and trends of severe acute malnutrition, moderate acute malnutrition and global acute malnutrition, as well as their socio-demographic factors and socio-economic differentials using the last seven rounds (1996-97, 1999-2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014 and 2017-18) of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Results show that the prevalence of all severe acute malnutrition, moderate acute malnutrition and global acute malnutrition has declined from 1996-97 to 2017-18 in Bangladesh: severe acute malnutrition from 6.8 per cent to 1.5 per cent; moderate acute malnutrition from 13.9 per cent to 6.9 per cent; and global acute malnutrition from 20.7 per cent to 8.4 per cent. On the other hand, the overall percentage change in the prevalence of severe, moderate and global acute malnutrition accounts for 78 per cent, 50.3 per cent and 59.4 per cent, respectively. The rate of annual decline of severe acute malnutrition is higher among rural children (7.02 per cent) and lower in those in urban areas (5.04 per cent). Child age (6-12 months), child size at birth (smaller), father’s occupation, administrative division and mother’s BMI are strongly related to severe, moderate, and global acute malnutrition. This paper also suggests that there is substantial room to upgrade the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in Bangladesh.