Prevalence and Predictors of Unhealthy Food Consumption among Children Under Two Years: Findings from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022

Background: Adequate nutrition during the first two years of life is essential for optimal growth, immune function, and cognitive development. Despite this, many caregivers do not follow recommended dietary guidelines, leading to the early introduction of unhealthy foods such as sugary snacks, beverages, and processed items. These foods contribute to poor physical growth, micronutrient deficiencies, and the early onset of noncommunicable diseases, raising serious public health concerns. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of unhealthy food consumption among children under the age of two in Bangladesh and identify the factors influencing it. Methods: Data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) were analyzed, with a focus on three unhealthy feeding practices: the consumption of sweet beverages, the intake of harmful foods, and the lack of fruits or vegetables. Dietary intake data from caregivers of children under two years of age were analyzed to determine the rates of unhealthy food consumption. Bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate (multilevel binary logistic regression) analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with unhealthy food practices. Results: Among the children surveyed, 24.8% had consumed sweetened beverages, 37.1% had eaten unhealthy sentinel foods, and 60% had not consumed any fruits or vegetables the night before the survey. Several factors, including parental education level, maternal employment status, maternal age, household wealth, exposure to mass media, maternal BMI, maternal depression, child’s age, current breastfeeding status, and regional administrative division, were significantly associated with these feeding practices. Conclusions: The findings highlight a high prevalence of unhealthy food consumption among children under two years of age in Bangladesh, with clear associations with socioeconomic and maternal factors. Targeted interventions are necessary to enhance complementary feeding practices through improved nutritional education, the promotion of healthier diets, and policies that address regional and socioeconomic disparities through community-based approaches. Trial Registration Number Not applicable.