Nutrition is one of the prime focus areas of Eminence. This thematic area covers Breastfeeding and IYCF, Nutrition Security, Micronutrients, Agriculture, Fisheries & Livestock, and Citizen Nutrition Forum. The foremost importance is the basic nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women which also plays a very crucial act in the achievement of several SDGs.
Bangladesh faces several challenges in ensuring age-appropriate nutrition to growing children which is critical for avoiding undernutrition during early development. According to UNICEF, exclusive breastfeeding slipped from 64% to 55% between 2011 and 2014 in Bangladesh, and early initiation of breastfeeding only at 51%. Only 23% of children are fed according to infant and young child feeding practices and one-third of children are given complementary foods in a timely fashion.
According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nutrition country profile rates of malnutrition in Bangladesh are among the highest in the world. More than 54% of preschool-age children, equivalent to more than 9.5 million children, are stunted, 56% are underweight and more than 17% are wasted. Bangladeshi children also suffer from high rates of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin A, iron, iodine, and zinc deficiency.
Eminence is continuously engaged in research and project-based work in the field of nutrition and through that contributes to improving human health and lifestyle which are affected by the nutrition factor.