Nutritional Inequality and Societal Development: Structural Barriers to Food Accessibility in Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63539/isrn.2026013Keywords:
Malnutrition, Structural Inequality, Bangladesh, Nutritional Poverty, Food AffordabilityAbstract
Access to nutritious food is essential for human development; however, significant inequalities persist in many developing countries. This study examines how disparities in access to nutrient-dense food hinder societal development in Bangladesh. Drawing on the Social Determinants of Health framework and Structural Violence theory, the study looks at how economic, social, and environmental disparities restrict access to nutrient-dense foods among disadvantaged populations based on a qualitative analytical approach supported by descriptive statistical evidence derived from secondary data sources such as the World Bank, World Health Organization, United Nations Development Program, and food security assessments. The findings indicate that many low-income households cannot afford the average daily cost of a nutritious diet in Bangladesh, which is almost 223 BDT per person, reducing the purchasing ability of nearly 41.3% of the population. Nutritional disparity is exacerbated by structural variables such as poverty, gender inequality, rural-urban differences, climate vulnerability, and educational gaps. These conditions lead to malnutrition, long-term productivity losses, and decreased human capital formation. The study argues that unequal access to nutrient-dense foods poses a structural obstacle to inclusive socioeconomic growth as well as a public health concern. Addressing nutritional inequality through integrated policies in food systems, social protection, and poverty reduction is essential for sustainable societal progress in Bangladesh.
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