Obesity is no longer a predicament of affluent nations; it has evolved into a global health crisis affecting individuals across age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Bangladesh, traditionally focused on combating undernutrition, now faces a double-edged challenge as obesity rates surge among adults, adolescents, and children. This alarming trend, underscored by recent global and national data, demands urgent, coordinated action.
The World Obesity Federation's World Obesity Atlas 2022 projects that one billion individuals globally will be living with obesity by 2030, including a significant number of children and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 39 million children under five were overweight or obese in 2020. These numbers paint a troubling picture, with childhood obesity expected to affect 30% of children worldwide by 2030. Closer to home, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 reports that 2.6% of children under five in Bangladesh are obese. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey 2019-20 reveals that 10.61% of adolescents are either overweight or obese. For adults, the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022 highlights that 29.4% are overweight and 10.8% are obese-statistics that underscore the rapid pace at which this crisis is escalating.
Urbanization in Bangladesh has dramatically altered dietary habits and physical activity levels. The prevalence of fast-food culture and sedentary lifestyles in urban areas has exacerbated obesity rates. According to the recent Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 8.88% of urban adults are obese, compared to a lower rate of 4.53% in rural areas. The survey also highlights that obesity is becoming an increasing concern among adolescents, with 2.27% of urban adolescents and 1.39% of rural adolescents affected. Compounded by a lack of public recreational spaces and awareness campaigns, urban populations are disproportionately affected. In rural areas, limited access to balanced diets and awareness has led to a paradoxical coexistence of undernutrition and obesity, amplifying the country's health challenges.
Obesity's impact extends beyond physical health, profoundly affecting social and economic domains. It is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer-leading causes of mortality in Bangladesh. The psychological repercussions, including low self-esteem and susceptibility to bullying, are particularly concerning for children and adolescents.
Economically, the burden of obesity strains both household and national resources. Direct medical costs related to treating obesity-linked conditions and indirect costs-such as reduced productivity, absenteeism, and premature mortality-pose formidable challenges. With rising obesity rates, these economic strains threaten to undermine national progress and productivity.
Addressing obesity in Bangladesh requires a holistic, multi-sectoral approach aligned with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and national policies such as the Bangladesh Delta Plan. Strategies must include enforcing regulations on unhealthy food marketing, providing subsidies for healthier food options, and integrating nutrition education and physical activity into schools and workplaces. Expanding access to healthcare services and designing urban spaces that encourage active lifestyles are equally critical.
The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement exemplifies a community-driven initiative that can amplify these efforts. The aim of this movement is to combat malnutrition and ensure optimal nutrition for all. It follows a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach, engaging governments, civil society, donors, and the private sector to address the underlying and immediate causes of malnutrition.
By fostering collaboration among families, schools, healthcare providers, and local governments, such initiatives can play a pivotal role in addressing obesity alongside other nutritional challenges.
The fight against obesity is a collective responsibility. It demands sustained commitment from all sectors of society-from individual households to national leadership. For Bangladesh, tackling obesity is not merely about improving health outcomes; it is about safeguarding the nation's future resilience and prosperity.
Obesity is a preventable crisis. By implementing evidence-based strategies and fostering partnerships, Bangladesh can stem the tide of rising obesity rates. Let us act decisively today to secure a healthier tomorrow for all citizens.
Ruhul Amin, Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management and Mahadee Al Mobin, ResearchAssociate,Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM)
