DFM co-applicant, Dr. Emdad Haque, is lead editor of a new book titled “RED ALERT! Non-Communicable Diseases, Dietary Habits and Lifestyle in Bangladesh”. The book offers a profound exploration into Bangladesh’s shifting health dynamics through the lens of the epidemiological transition. This publication stands as a testament to the interdisciplinary approach needed to tackle complex health challenges.
Drawing from nationwide empirical surveys, the book links non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and lifestyle factors across urban, semi-urban, and rural populations. Among the key findings are the alarming rise in hypertension and diabetes prevalence, outpacing neighbouring countries, and the striking correlation between urbanization and NCD prevalence. Noteworthy is the disparity in NCD burden between rural and urban populations, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.
One of the noteworthy contributions to the book comes from the Dried Fish Matters (DFM) funded PhD student Sami Naim Farook, whose chapters in the book provide insightful examinations of the health status of the Indigenous Garo people in Dhaka, revealing lower diabetes rates but increasing hypertension, tobacco, alcohol consumption, and obesity among Garo women. In chapter eight of the book, Farook and colleagues highlight the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children, particularly in urban areas like Dhaka, reflecting sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits. In chapter eleven, Farook and his co-authors examine the health impacts of shifting dietary patterns, such as a decline in grain consumption and the rise in meat consumption, and recommend holistic approaches to address the emerging challenges of non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh.
Reference:
Haque, C. E., Ahsan, G. U., & Islam, M. A. (Eds.). (2024). RED ALERT! Non-Communicable Diseases, Dietary Habits and Lifestyle in Bangladesh (First). The University Press Limited.