Using a gender lens to understand eating behaviours of adolescent females living in low-income households in Bangladesh

Lauren S. Blum, Rasheda Khan, Marzia Sultana, Nahian Soltana, Yasmin Siddiqua, Rudaba Khondker, Sabiha Sultana, Alison Tumilowicz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period characterized by rapid physical, psychological, and social development and growth. In Bangladesh, high rates of undernutrition persist among adolescent females living in low-income households. Prevalence of adolescent marriage and pregnancy is extremely high, with almost half of Bangladeshi women giving birth by 18 years of age. Qualitative research was carried out from April to June 2017 to examine individual, social, and environmental factors influencing eating behaviours of female adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age living in low-income families in urban and rural settings in Bangladesh. Methods included freelisting exercises (33), key informant interviews (11), in-depth interviews (24), direct observations (16), and focus group discussions (12). Findings show that household food insecurity necessitates adjustments in meal food quality and frequency. Gender norms prescribe that females receive small meal portions and make sacrifices in food consumption so that male family members can eat more. Work and school schedules cause long breaks between meal consumption, restricting food intake of adolescent females for extended periods. Gender discrimination and its manifestations likely amplify susceptibility to psychological stresses in adolescent females. An inferior social position makes adolescent females living in food insecure households vulnerable to undernutrition, with factors affecting food deprivation increasing as they approach childbearing. Policies to increase age of marriage and reduce adolescent pregnancy must continue. Programmes must ensure that school-going adolescents eat adequately during the school day. Prolonging school education and strengthening the economic viability of women should alter cultural expectations regarding marriage age and normative female roles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere12841
JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bangladesh
  • adolescent females
  • food intake
  • gender discrimination
  • qualitative research
  • undernutrition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Using a gender lens to understand eating behaviours of adolescent females living in low-income households in Bangladesh'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this