Dietary diversity, fish consumption patterns and its determinants among women, children and households in Bangladesh

Given the high levels of malnutrition in Bangladesh, and the importance of fish in providing micro-nutrients, we sought to understand the dietary diversity levels, patterns of fish consumption and its determinants among households in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. We collected data from 2669 households. The study employed a Household Dietary Diversity (HDD), Individual Dietary Diversity – Women (IDD-W) and Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) to analyze the dietary diversity. Results indicate that the average HDD was relatively high (8.22), the mean IDD_W for women and children was low at 4.99 and 4.90, respectively. T-test analysis indicated dietary diversity scores increased with consumption of fish and the number of fish species consumed. Intra-household discrimination and substitution of fish and other types of meat in the households, was observed. Increase in level of education and pond ownership were factors that increased fish consumption. Contrary, distance to the market and the price of fish increased fish consumption.