World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Md. Shafiur Rahman*

ABSTRACT

Climate change is a multifaceted problem with an impact on various aspects of human life, including food security and nutritional status. This study aims to assess the relationship between climate change and nutritional status and its implications for food security and sustainable development. The study design involved a cross-sectional study conducted over a three-year period (2019 to 2022) in Satkhira Upazilla of Khulna district, Bangladesh, to evaluate the effects of climate change on the nutritional health of under-five children. Using a multistage random sampling technique, 424 mothers with children between the ages of 12 and 60 months were selected to participate. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, food security status, dietary diversity, and nutritional status were gathered using standardized questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements were taken for both mothers and children. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results showed that 33.3% of the children were underweight, and 16.5% were wasted. Factors associated with malnutrition included the low household income, illiteracy of the mother, tin-shed homes, and inadequate access to safe drinking water. The study concludes that climate change has a significant impact on nutritional status, which affects food security and sustainable development. Policymakers, academics, and practitioners working towards achieving sustainable development goals connected to food security and nutrition can benefit from the study's conclusions. Effective strategies to mitigate climate change's impact on nutritional status should target vulnerable populations, including those with low household incomes, mothers with low literacy levels, and those without access to safe drinking water. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to achieve sustainable development goals related to food security and nutrition.

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