Dhaka, August 11 – Although there is increasing knowledge about nutritious diets, the intake of vegetables among children in Bangladesh continues to be very low, according to nutritionists and public health specialists, who have raised concerns about its impact on child nutrition and future health.
Recent projections indicate that over 1.5 crore children throughout the nation are facing nutritional risks because their daily diets lack vegetables, fruits, and milk. Specialists note that this deficiency is leading to a shortage of at least five crucial nutrients necessary for proper growth and development.
Health experts suggest that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should eat a minimum of 40% of their daily meals as vegetables to build a solid base for long-term well-being.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that children should eat a minimum of 400 grams, equivalent to five servings, of fruits and vegetables daily.
Consuming enough vegetables is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer as one ages, according to the statement.
On the contrary, unhealthy eating patterns, such as consuming few vegetables, may raise the likelihood of acquiring long-term conditions like type 2 diabetes in the future, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ICDDR,B).
A new study on eating habits shows that many children in Bangladesh below the age of five eat very few or no vegetables every day. As per information from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), over 60% of kids between 6 and 23 months hadn’t eaten any fruits or vegetables the day prior to the survey.
this trend is highly worrying,” stated dr. nusrat jahan, a pediatric nutrition expert at the national institute of public health. “vegetables play a crucial role in a child’s physical and mental growth. if children avoid these foods during their early years, it may result in vitamin shortages, compromised immune systems, and unhealthy dietary patterns later on.
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Experts note that the reluctance to eat vegetables arises from various reasons, including taste preferences, limited knowledge, and the growing impact of marketing for ultra-processed foods. Many children have an innate dislike for bitter tastes, particularly those present in green leafy vegetables, and if they aren’t regularly exposed to or encouraged to try these foods, they are often refused both at home and in school settings.
Families with lower incomes face extra difficulties when it comes to affordability and access. “There is a strong connection between food insecurity and limited variety in diets,” noted Shamsul Alam, a specialist in food policy. “When households have trouble covering their expenses, they frequently turn to calorie-rich basics such as rice and lentils instead of vegetables.”
Nevertheless, the problem transcends social classes. Dr. Kamrul Hasan, a senior pediatrician at Mugda Medical College and Hospital, stated to UNB that consumption of vegetables is often overlooked in both low-income and wealthy households.
Our meals consist of various important elements. However, vegetables—vital for strengthening the immune system—are frequently neglected by parents, regardless of their financial status,” he stated. “Fruits and vegetables offer crucial nutrients like Vitamin A, C, K, iron, potassium, folic acid, calcium, and even protein.
He highlighted the importance of including vegetables and fruits in children’s everyday meals to tackle common deficiencies in essential nutrients.
My son isn’t fond of vegetables, so I just serve him rice with eggs,” said Rina Akhter, a mother from Mirpur. “I hadn’t realized that avoiding vegetables daily could be detrimental.
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Certainly, numerous families steer clear of vegetables, worried they could be dangerous because sellers sometimes pass off old produce as fresh by using a chemical known as formalin. After the extensive use of this substance was revealed in the media, people became even more cautious about eating vegetables.
Positively, certain efforts have started to demonstrate potential. In a trial program in Khulna and Rangpur regions, elementary students were exposed to school gardens, meals featuring vegetables, and fundamental nutrition instruction. Educators observed a clear increase in children’s readiness to consume vegetables such as spinach and amaranth.
Health experts suggest engaging kids in cooking activities, presenting veggies in imaginative and appealing ways, and demonstrating healthy eating habits. “Children are more inclined to eat vegetables if they observe adults or other children savoring them,” noted Dr. Nusrat.
Public health supporters are urging for more robust policy measures, such as required school meals that include vegetables, financially supported vegetable markets, and limitations on the promotion of unhealthy foods aimed at young people.
While Bangladesh remains engaged in its battle against malnutrition, specialists concur that making vegetables a consistent element of children’s meals should be elevated to a national focus.
It’s not solely about filling our stomachs,” remarked Dr. Nusrat. “It’s about feeding our future generation—both physically and mentally.
Although there have been advancements in decreasing poverty and enhancing health metrics, malnutrition continues to be a significant public health issue for children in Bangladesh. As per the latest national and international statistics, about 28% of children below five years old are stunted, which reflects long-term undernourishment that affects both physical and mental growth.
Maternal and child health services are less accessible to the urban underprivileged, according to specialists.
Furthermore, approximately 9.8% of children experience wasting, which is caused by acute malnutrition, while 22 to 23% are underweight. Specialists caution that more than 40% of children encounter some type of anthropometric failure when multiple indicators are taken into account. Disturbingly, a small but increasing proportion (3.3%) are overweight, indicating a growing dual challenge of malnutrition.
