Linkages of agroecosystems producing farmed seafood on food security, nutritional status and adolescent health in Bangladesh

Abstract

This narrative review aims to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on actors that link global aquatic food production systems with fish consumption and nutritional status, with a special focus on adolescent girls in Bangladesh. The writing of this narrative perspective was undertaken within the framework of the Aquatic Food for Health and Nutrition (AQN) project that aimed to develop a metric for assessing the impacts on nutrition and health of agroecosystems producing farmed seafood. Previous studies evaluating links between agricultural ecosystems, aquaculture, food security and human health have systemically ignored the importance of diet and nutrition. Such studies have also ignored the importance of local communities, cultural norms and household composition and behaviours to identify vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls. This narrative review presents our current understanding of the relationships between aquaculture, fish production and consumption patterns, food security, optimal nutrition and health. It also highlights the importance of research into aquaculture food systems, linking aquatic food production systems with nutritional status, health and socioeconomic prosperity, which would help to develop more integrated and relevant food policies.

Adolescent girls in aquaculture ecozones at risk of nutrient deficiency in Bangladesh development and validation of an integrated metric

“…Currently, there is no metric available that takes account of environmental, cultural and economic contexts when considering dietary health from a health policy perspective. Indeed, policies addressing the specific challenges of nutritional needs of these communities are limited by the sectoral separation of aquatic food production, the broader food sector and public health institutions [ 1 , 2 ]. There is an urgent need for metrics to incorporate all these aspects.…”

“…Aquaculture is a fast-growing food production sector in low-income and food-deficit countries with aquatic ecozones [ 1 , 2 ]. Yet, its specific impact on the nexus of nutritional status, food security and livelihood in local communities where commercial, and particularly export-orientated aquaculture activities are developed, is largely unknown [ 1 ].…”

“…Differences in autonomy may explain why women’s participation in the labour force differ between Muslim and non-Muslim communities [ 9 ]. Given the significant increase in women in employment related to export-led processing of farmed seafood, we need a seafood value chain approach to characterise the developmental dimensions and interdisciplinary nature of improving adolescent welfare linking information on aquaculture production systems, food availability, dietary intakes, nutritional status and individual health [ 1 , 2 ]. Yet, policies addressing the specific challenges of risk management of these communities is limited by the sectoral separation of aquatic food production the fisheries and aquaculture sector—and health, meaning there is a disconnect between professionals on all levels responsible for fisheries and aquaculture, and those tasked to support public health and nutrition initiatives [ 2 ].…”

Study of the Nutritional Behavior as a Risky Health Factor of Adolescents From Different Ethnic Groups in the Municipality of Plovdiv, Bulgaria

“…A number of studies highlight the importance of research into aquaculture food systems, linking aquatic food production systems with nutritional status, health and socioeconomic prosperity, which would help to develop more integrated and relevant food policies [5].…”

Factors affecting the micronutrient status of adolescent girls living in complex agro-aquatic ecological zones of Bangladesh

“…The southwest coastal region of Bangladesh is considered one of the most diversified hubs of aquatic resources from fisheries and aquaculture 25 . In addition, the dynamics of the ecosystems in these coastal zones are complex, ranging from saline to freshwater aquatic environments, with seasonal fluctuations in the intrusion of oceanic water meeting riverine freshwater 26 , 27 . The availability of aquatic foods is highly diverse across the ecological zones, and it fluctuates between dry and wet seasons.…”