Impact of Inflation on Nutritional Intake and Health of Youth in Bangladesh

Impact of Inflation on Nutritional Intake and Health of Youth in Bangladesh

Authors

  • Nuruzzaman Department of Development Studies, Bangladesh University of Professionals https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4331-6713
  • Minhazur Rahman Rezvi Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3046-6664
  • Farian Alam Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
  • Mojammel Hossen Rumman Department of Development Studies, Islamic University, Kushtia
  • Rafatul Islam Department of Development Studies, University of Chittagong
  • Abdullah Al Sohan Southern Medical College, Chattrogram
  • Shakila khanum Chittagong Medical College, Chattrogram
  • Shahriaz Ahmmed Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4545-4834

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15575/ks.v7i3.45145

Keywords:

Bangladesh, Health, Inflation, Impact, Nutrition, Youth

Abstract

Bangladesh's economy has been experiencing increasing inflationary pressure in food prices in recent years. This study explores the nexus between price inflation and nutritional food consumption among youth and explains whether it impacts their health, mental health, and academics. This study used a mixed-method approach, collected survey data from 205 youth respondents, and conducted 10 IDIs with the respondents. This study found that inflation significantly impacts youth-quality food consumption. Lower-income and middle-income youth are most affected by food price hikes and have become used to negative adaptations, including reducing the quality of food consumption and skipping meals. The changes in dietary behaviour had a significant impact on the health status of the youth, which also led to health and mental health pressure. The Bangladesh government should take the lead in enacting strong policies that promote lower prices, increased productivity, and educating young people about the affordability of nutrient-rich meals.

Author Biographies

Nuruzzaman, Department of Development Studies, Bangladesh University of Professionals

Nuruzzaman serves as a lecturer at the Department of Development Studies at Bangladesh University of Professionals. He received his BSS and MSS degrees from the Department of Development Studies at Bangladesh University of Professionals. Besides that, he served as a lecturer at the Department of Development Studies at Daffodil International University (DIU). His research interests include political science, public policy, migration studies, and public health.

Minhazur Rahman Rezvi, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka

Minhazur Rahman Rezvi has completed his MSS & BSS from Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is currently employed at a national NGO, Community Development Centre (CODEC) as a Program manager—M&E. In addition, he is voluntarily contributing to Development Thought (DT) as its founder and editor. He has already published numerous research works in various national and international peer-reviewed journals. His areas of research interest are political science, public policy, Migration studies, and public health.

Farian Alam, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka

Farian Alam is pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Dhaka's Department of Development Studies. In addition, she actively serves as a volunteer and event management secretary within the Physically-challenged Development Foundation, Dhaka. Her areas of research interest are women and gender development, Social inclusion, migration studies, public health, etc.

Mojammel Hossen Rumman, Department of Development Studies, Islamic University, Kushtia

Mojammel Hossen Rumman is currently pursuing his BSS from Department of Development Studies, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh. His area of interest is tied with development and paradigms of development. Mostly, his primary focus is on the development of underdeveloped, with a strong emphasis on education policy. Apart from that, he is also interested in public health and political economy.

Rafatul Islam, Department of Development Studies, University of Chittagong

Rafatul Islam completed his BSS from the Department of Development Studies, University

of Chittagong, Bangladesh. His areas of research interest are Public Health, Public Policy,

and Gender Studies.

Abdullah Al Sohan, Southern Medical College, Chattrogram

Abdullah Al Sohan has completed his MBBS from Southern Medical College, under University of Chittagong,Bangladesh. He is working as a senior medical officer in a private hospital. His areas of research interest are public health and nutrition, infectious disease and epidemiology, and maternal and child health.

Shakila khanum, Chittagong Medical College, Chattrogram

Shakila Khanum has completed her MBBS degree from Chittagong Medical College, Bangladesh. She is currently working as a Medical officer at Lancet Hospital. Her areas of research interest are Gastroenterology and Public Health.

Shahriaz Ahmmed, Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University

Shahriaz Ahmmed is working as a faculty member at Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. Before joining Khulna University as a faculty member, he served as a Project Officer at the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), BRAC University, where he closely worked with Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar. He completed his MSS & BSS from Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. His area of research interest includes Public Policy, governance, public health, and migration studies.

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Published

2025-08-31
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