The Other Asian Enigma: Explaining the Rapid Reduction of Undernutrition in Bangladesh

48 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2014

See all articles by Derek D. Headey

Derek D. Headey

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

John Hoddinott

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Disha Ali

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Roman Tesfaye

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Mekdim Dereje Regassa

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Date Written: July 25, 2014

Abstract

South Asia has long been synonymous with persistent and unusually high rates of child undernutrition — the so-called Asian enigma. Yet contrary to this stereotype, Bangladesh has managed to sustain a rapid reduction in the rate of child undernutrition for at least two decades. In this paper we aim to understand the sources of this unheralded success with the aspiration of deriving policy-relevant lessons from Bangladesh’s experience. To do so we employ a regression analysis of five rounds of Demographic and Health Surveys covering the period from 1997 to 2011.

Keywords: Children, Education, family planning, health, Health services, hygiene, malnutrition, Nutrition, Undernutrition

Suggested Citation

Headey, Derek D. and Hoddinott, John and Ali, Disha and Tesfaye, Roman and Regassa, Mekdim Dereje, The Other Asian Enigma: Explaining the Rapid Reduction of Undernutrition in Bangladesh (July 25, 2014). IFPRI Discussion Paper 01358, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2483976 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2483976

Derek D. Headey (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

John Hoddinott

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management ( email )

Ithaca, NY
United States

Disha Ali

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Roman Tesfaye

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.ifpri.org

Mekdim Dereje Regassa

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

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