ঢাকামঙ্গলবার , ২৬ মে ২০২৬
Health system experts, education professionals, and policymakers came together today at a consultation workshop organized by the ARK Foundation to emphasize the importance of promoting healthy eating habits at home and in schools to curb the rising trend of childhood obesity in Bangladesh.
Held on Tuesday, May 27, at the Platinum Grand Hotel in Banani, Dhaka, the workshop served as a platform for key stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, media, and the community, to jointly identify priorities and co-design effective, sustainable strategies to prevent childhood obesity in school settings.
During the event, Dr. Mahmuda Ali, Health Officer, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), highlighted the need for nutritious food charts in school canteens and stated, “We need to develop a strategy to provide nutritious tiffin in public schools, and engage parents, teachers, and stakeholders like DNCC for effective implementation.”
Professor Rumana Huque, Executive Director of ARK Foundation- “There is a lack of evidence on childhood obesity in Bangladesh schools in both urban and rural areas, to meet this gap, we need to conduct comprehensive survey with parents, teachers, and students to provide strong evidence-based insights for effective school nutrition policies.”
Dr. Md. Jahurul Islam, Program Manager (NNHP &IMCI) stated that, “We must ensure that every child leave their home early in the morning before school with a proper, homemade breakfast, which is crucial in combating obesity and promoting healthy eating habits.”
Dr. Jannatun Naiem, DPM, NNS, DGHS-“Excessive screen time is a major contributor to childhood obesity and overweight issues, making parental guidance essential in promoting balanced activity and healthier habits.”
Md. Abu Sayeed Khan, a headmaster from one of Dhaka’s prominent schools emphasized that- “Limited playgrounds in the city, especially in schools, reduce children’s physical activity, which at extent are also a crucial factor for our children’s growing obesity. Both the teachers and the school authorities like us must be properly informed by policymakers on healthy diets and promoting healthy habits to our students.
The consultation was part of ARK Foundation’s ongoing work under the SCOLARS project (Schoolchildren and Caretakers Tackling Obesity in Latin America and South Asia), an international research initiative funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The project aims to develop context-specific interventions that prioritize community involvement to prevent childhood obesity.
The global collaboration brings together researchers and professionals from Mexico, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, working alongside experts from the United Kingdom to design locally adapted solutions.
Participants at the workshop included representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Non-Communicable Disease Control, National Nutrition Services, Institute of Public Health Nutrition and National Newborn Health Program Integrated Management of Childhood Illness from Directorate General of Health Services-Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. In addition, non-governmental organizations such as icddr,b, WHO, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Nutrition Solution Bangladesh, UNICEF, WHO, Centre for Law and Policy Affairs, and Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) were present. The event also engaged school representatives, teachers, and parents.
The participants collaboratively worked to identify the key relevant stakeholders in managing childhood obesity for school-going children in Bangladesh. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue collaborative efforts toward building healthier eating habits and environment for children both at school and at home.
