Factors Influencing Household Food Security and Nutritional Well-being in Primary School Children of Bangladesh

Abstract

As there was a lack of empirical evidence in the Barishal division food security data, the present study was carried out to investigate the influence of socio-economic factors on food and nutritional security of primary school children in rural and urban areas of Barishal district in Bangladesh. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect 300 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire was administered through individual interviews with the guardians of the primary school-going children. The results revealed that 64.8% and 74.0% of the respondents were food secure in rural and urban areas, respectively. On the other hand, 2.1% and 1.9% were suffering severe food insecurity in rural and urban areas. According to body mass index (BMI), 42.5% and 42.1% of the sample respondent’s children were in the normal weight group, and 40.0% and 50.7% of the sample respondent’s children were underweight in urban and rural areas respectively. Food security was significantly associated with education level, family income, housing condition, and academic achievement. On the contrary, the difference between boys and girls, household size, and BMI were negatively associated with food security. Governmental efforts, food security knowledge, and nutrition education may reduce food insecurity and improve household food and nutritional status of the study area.