Intrahousehold allocation of energy intake among children under five years and their parents in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Objective: This study assesses intrahousehold allocation of energy in rural Bangladesh and tests the hypothesis that, when daily energy intake is adjusted for energy expenditure, no age or gender bias will be apparent in intrahousehold energy allocation.

Design: Data were collected at two-month intervals over a one year study.

Setting: Four villages in Matlab Thana, rural Bangladesh.

Subjects: Two hundred and seven children up to 5 y of age and their 145 mothers and 123 fathers.

Interventions: Data included six measurements of observed 24 h dietary energy intake and physical activity recorded from waking to sleeping. Total daily energy expenditure was derived using the factorial method.

Results: Women's energy intake ranged from 75-88% of the FAO/WHO recommended energy intake over the six periods of data collection, significantly less (P < 0.0001) than the men's (range 89-114%). Although the women had moderate levels of physical activity, frequent pregnancies and long lactation periods increased their energy needs. Among children no longer breast fed, energy consumption, unadjusted for energy expenditure, provided 86-108% of the FAO/WHO recommended energy intake by weight.

Conclusions: Women consistently received less of their energy requirements than either their children or their husbands.

PIP: Data collected during 1977-78 in 4 villages in Matlab Thana, Bangladesh, on 207 children under 5 years of age and their 145 mothers and 123 fathers were used to investigate the hypothesis that, when daily energy intake is adjusted for energy expenditure, energy needs are met and no age or gender bias will be evident in intrahousehold energy allocation. During the 12-month study period, data were collected every 2 months on 24-hour dietary energy intake and physical activity. Women's energy intake ranged from 75% to 88% of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) recommended intake, even though their physical activity levels, frequent pregnancies, and long lactation periods increased their energy needs. Men's energy intake ranged from 89% to 114% of the FAO/WHO standard. Among weaned children, energy consumption, unadjusted for energy expenditure, provided 86-108% of the recommended energy intake by weight. The finding that fathers generally met their energy requirements is assumed to reflect their role as producers of the family's food supply. Feeding men during periods of peak agricultural labor demand, even at the expense of lower intakes for their wives and children, may be perceived as essential to the household's survival. Agricultural and income generation programs to increase total energy availability to households, family planning services to diminish the burden of childbearing, and enhanced educational opportunities for women all have the potential to help mothers meet their energy needs.