Studies on food and nutrient intake by rural population of Bangladesh: Comparison between intakes of 1962–64, 1975–76 and 1981–82

In 1981–82 a nationwide food consumption survey covering 4000 people was carried out in 12 statistically selected rural locations of Bangladesh. Comparison of the results with those of the 1975–76 and 1962–64 studies revealed an alarming food and nutrition situation in the country. Intakes of almost all foods and nutrients had decreased. Consumption of pulses and food from animal sources in particular had seriously declined. The foremost deficiency was of energy in which 76% of families consumed less than the requirement. Seventy‐seven percent of families consumed inadequate protein, but in 25% there would not have been a protein problem had there been an adequate supply of nonprotein sources of energy. Of the micronutrients the severest deficiencies were riboflavin and retinol. Eighty‐seven percent of families consumed less than the recommended level of ascorbic acid.

Key words:

• Food
• nutrient intake
• Bangladesh
• nutrient deficiency
• energy
• protein
• retinol
• riboflavin
• ascorbic acid