Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40998438›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Association between household food insecurity and underweight status among women in flood-prone regions of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.

Sharif Uddin Lotus, Shahriar Manik Akash, Nishat Salsabil, Md Takrib Hossain, Showrov Sarker, Zubayer Ibn Zaman, Rajiul Kawnine, Kazi Sazzadul Haque, M Z E M Naser Uddin Ahmed, Ahmed Hossain

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Sharif Uddin LotusMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh lotus.sharif@icddrb.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9013-7216
Shahriar Manik AkashMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-7903-7514
Nishat SalsabilMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Md Takrib HossainMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-5634-2664
Showrov SarkerMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Zubayer Ibn ZamanMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Rajiul KawnineMaternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Kazi Sazzadul HaqueDepartment of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
M Z E M Naser Uddin AhmedDepartment of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Ahmed HossainDepartment of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesBangladesh is highly prone to recurrent flooding that disrupts all four pillars of food security. This study aimed to explore the effect of household food insecurity on the underweight status of women in flood-affected areas of Bangladesh, which remains underexplored.

designThis is a cross-sectional analysis.

settingThis study was conducted in eight sub-districts (upazilas) across eight districts in Bangladesh that experience severe to moderate river flooding, flash floods and substantial tidal surges.

participantsA total of 532 women participated in the study. The inclusion criteria for participation were as follows: (1) being at least 18 years of age, (2) residing in the household for at least 1 year and (3) having experienced limited food access in the 4 weeks before data collection due to flood-related constraints. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Household food insecurity was measured using the U.S. Agency for International Development Household Food Insecurity Access Scale questionnaire. An underweight status was evaluated through anthropometric measurements of women. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using robust log-linear models.

resultsModerate food insecurity was the most common (58.3%) among the participants. The prevalence of underweight was the highest (52.1%) in the severely food-insecure group and decreased significantly with improved food security. Severe household food insecurity was strongly associated with a higher prevalence of underweight individuals (aPR = 4.12; 95% CI, 1.60 to 10.60). An underweight status was also prevalent in women from moderately food-insecure households (aPR = 1.75; 95% CI, 0.68 to 4.55).

conclusionThis study reveals a significant association between household food insecurity and underweight status, highlighting the major challenges faced by women living in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. These findings emphasise the urgent need to address household food insecurity to improve nutritional outcomes for women in vulnerable communities.

Indexed as

FloodsFood InsecurityFood SupplyThinnessAdolescentAdultBangladeshCross-Sectional StudiesFamily CharacteristicsFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPrevalenceYoung AdultClimate ChangeCross-Sectional StudiesFood InsecurityMaternal medicineNUTRITION & DIETETICS

Identifiers

PMID40998438
PMCPMC12481315

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.