Abstract:
This paper examines the trend data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) from the last 10 years, showing the transition from under- to overnutrition and the double burden of malnutrition among Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. It also discusses the national policy and programme responses to overweight and obesity in Bangladesh among the same population. Cost-effective strategies could include: taxes on unhealthy foods; subsidies on healthy foods; strong regulatory measures to restrict marketing of unhealthy foods, especially those targeting children; and effective implementation of existing policies and strategies.