The FAO Meeting the Undernutrition Challenge (MUCH) project is working together with the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS), University of Dhaka to conduct a Food Consumption survey. 

The Food Consumption survey is intended to provide estimates for selected measurable dietary indicators which would be used to assess the current food consumption, dietary and nutrient intake, the food security situation and to evaluate subsequent responses to inform and refine future nutrition programming interventions.

The dietary indicators include the Women’s Dietary Diversity Score (WDDS) to assess women’s dietary diversity and the new Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) to assess food security that will provide input to inform Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Lalita Bhattacharjee, Senior Nutritionist, Ms. Femke Postma, Programme Support and Monitoring Specialist and Ms. Manika Saha, Nutrition Consultant from MUCH and Dr. Nazma Shaheen, Director of INFS, Dhaka University together with Ms. Assunta Testa, Programme Manager - Food and Nutrition Security, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, visited Dewagang village in Savar union to observe the survey activities.    

Of the thirteen households visited, it was observed that young children were given starchy food preparations using sago, semolina, rice and noodles.  Egg, fish, lentils and some vegetables were also given in some cases. Older infants were noted to be taking the family diets. Cost of foods was expressed as a constraint by some households. Overall, there is need to encourage intake of fruits among the children and households. Awareness needs to be created among mothers on using a variety of preparations to improve the diets of their families.  It was encouraging to note that households were located close to each other which enabled a friendly atmosphere.  Common kitchen facilities were also shared.

MUCH is financially supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union (EU). The project is aimed at strengthening the enabling environment for eradicating food insecurity and malnutrition in Bangladesh.