New briefs explore food systems trade-offs in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh experiences rapid economic growth and urbanization, dietary patterns are undergoing a significant shift. These changes present both opportunities and challenges for the country's food systems. Two recent studies conducted by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Healthy Diets through Food Systems Transformation(SHiFT) shed light on this issue, providing insights on the trade-offs involved in transitioning Bangladesh's food systems toward healthier diets.

Scenario analysis: Paths to healthier diets

By comparing different dietary scenarios, SHiFT researchers analyzed the potential outcomes of food systems transformation in Bangladesh. The studyexamined the trade-offs between socio-economic, health, and environmental indicators across three dietary trajectories, including a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, in which consumers are increasingly eating meat, sugars, and processed food products, a planetary health diet scenario, which aligns with the diet proposed by the EAT-LancetCommission (EAT-Lancetdiet), and a scenario in which people adopt Bangladesh's Food-Based Dietary Guidelines(FBDG).

The analysis revealed that the BAU path is likely to lead to unhealthy diets and environmental impacts due to increased red meat consumption. In contrast, transitioning toward the EAT-Lancetor FBDG diets will produce more socio-economic, health, and environmental benefits. However, even in the healthy diet scenarios, the study concluded that the expected population growth in Bangladesh by 2040 will require an increase in overall food production, presenting important trade-offs between health and environmental sustainability.

These findings emphasize the need for balanced policies to sustainably meet future food production needs for healthier consumption. Specifically, the research suggests a combination of strategies such as public awareness campaigns, improved food labeling, and financial incentives to encourage healthier eating. Additionally, interventions to reduce food waste and promote sustainable agricultural production will help mitigate environmental costs.

Consumer demand: Driving dietary changes

In addition to these insights, an Issue Brieffrom SHiFT and the CGIAR Research Initiative on Foresighthighlights the role of consumer preferences in rural Bangladesh, where the consumption of animal-source foods and processed products is increasing. These changes reflect a broader nutrition transition in the country. While diet quality has improved, the incidence of overweight has increased due to higher consumption of calorie-rich foods.

Despite rapid urbanization, rural areas of Bangladesh still account for most of the country's population. Rising incomes among rural households were found to influence demand for foods that may not align with health and sustainability goals. The brief concludes that agricultural policies that reduce the price of nutritious foods can play a notable role in transforming food systems toward healthier diets. However, policymakers must also consider consumer preferences in order to increase demand for these foods and improve diet quality at the household level.

These studies demonstrate the importance of strategically navigating trade-offs to achieve healthier diets in Bangladesh. A combination of price policies and behavioral interventions is necessary to shift consumer demand toward healthier foods. At the same time, policies must focus on improving the sustainability of healthy diets across the value chain. Comprehensive strategies will be essential for fostering a future that balances health benefits and environmental impacts, ensuring that Bangladesh's food systems deliver sustainable healthy diets to all.

Header image: Gollamari Bazar, a local fish market in Khulna, Bangladesh. Photo by Noor Alam/WorldFish from Flickr.

The International Food Policy Research Instituteand the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIATlead SHiFT in close collaboration with Wageningen University and Researchand with contributions from the International Potato Center. SHiFT combines high-quality nutritional and social science research capacity with development partnerships to generate innovative, robust solutions that contribute to healthier, more sustainable dietary choices and consumption of sustainable healthy diets. It builds on CGIAR's unparalleled track record of agricultural research for development, including ten years of work on food systems and nutrition under the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health.