Disparities in food security and nutrition across climate-vulnerable regions in Bangladesh

In climate-vulnerable Bangladesh, certain regions are more exposed to climate-related risks. This climate vulnerability in Bangladesh exposes regional disparities, which have been overlooked in the current literature. This research addresses this gap by comparing food security and nutritional indicators in high and low-climate-vulnerable regions. The study involved a secondary analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, supplemented by a comprehensive literature review. It examined multiple food security indicators (such as rice production, household dietary diversity score (HDDS), minimum dietary diversity of infant and young child feeding (MDD-IYCF), and zero fruit intake) and nutritional status indicators (stunting, wasting, and underweight in under-five children, and body mass index (BMI) for adults). These indicators were compared over 6–11 years (2010–2022) between two climate-vulnerable regions of Bangladesh: Barishal division, the high climate-vulnerable region, and Dhaka division, the low climate-vulnerable region. A comparative analysis revealed that rice production declined in Barishal, while it increased in Dhaka. Both parts exhibited increased HDDS and MDD-IYCF, with Dhaka experiencing a better percentage increase. Barishal recorded an increase in the proportion of households with zero fruit intake. The prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children and adults (BMI < 18.5) has decreased over time. However, the rate of improvement in Dhaka was higher than that of Barishal, except for the trend of adult malnutrition prevalence, which improved more rapidly in Barishal. The observed food security and nutrition indicators demonstrated a higher rate of improvement (in a positive interpretation) in Dhaka (a less climate-vulnerable region) relative to Barishal (a more climate-vulnerable region). This study highlights the necessity for continuous research, monitoring, and periodic climate surveys to identify emerging climatic challenges.