Science Forum 2013 (www.scienceforum13.org) Breakout Session 3 - DIET DIVERSIFICATION Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, WorldFish

1. The Role of Fish for Nutrition and
Health: Bangladesh as a case
study
Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted
Senior Nutrition Scientist, WorldFish

2. Fish and Bangladesh
- Rich water and fisheries resources: inland,
coastal and marine
- Important for food, livelihood and income,
especially of the rural poor
- Low intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals,
fat and essential fatty acids, animal protein
- Population groups relying on fish as a common
food suffer disproportionately from malnutrition
- Fish in food-based approaches:
Applicable to many population groups in other
low-income African and Asian countries

3. Consumption of Nutrient-rich Foods in Bangladesh
Frequency of consumption of nutrient-rich foods in the preceding 14 days (% of households)
(BBS Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2010)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Fish Leafy vegetable Fruit Egg Milk Meat
%ofhouseholds
7-14 days consumption
0-6 days consumption

4. Small Fish Species Improve Dietary Diversity
• Common food eaten with rice
• Adds flavour and taste to the meal
• Improves dietary diversity
• Cooked with vegetables, oil and spices,
further improves dietary diversity, adding
nutrients and health-promoting substances
• Processed (dried), stored - prolonging
duration of consumption, reach
• Irreplaceable animal-source food
• Rich source of multiple nutrients
• Animal protein
• Essential fats
• Essential micronutrients: minerals and
vitamins
• Enhances mineral bioavailability from foods
in the meal

5. Decrease in Capture Fisheries
Dramatic Success in Aquaculture
• Capture Fisheries:
- total no. of all species
consumed: 100 per year
- small fish species: 85 % of
total amount consumed
- frequent harvesting of small
amounts of fish for consumption
• Aquaculture:
- large fish species
- very few species (carps, tilapia,
pangasius
- harvesting at one time for sale

6. Nutrient Content of Small and Large Fish Species
Nutrient content of small indigenous and cultured fish species in Bangladesh
VITAMIN A CALCIUM IRON ZINC
FISH SPECIES
(RAE/100 g raw,
edible parts)
(mg/100 g raw,
edible parts)
(mg/100 g raw,
edible parts)
(mg/100 g raw,
edible parts)
Small indigenous fish species
Chanda (Parambassis baculis) - 1,153 2.1 2.6
Darkina (Esomus danricus) 880 775 12.0 4.0
Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) 2,680 776 5.7 3.2
Puti (Puntius sophore) 60 1,042 3.3 3.8
Cultured fish species
Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) - 8.6 0.7 0.6
Silver carp (Hypophthamichthys molitrix) < 30 36 4.4 1.4
Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) < 30 95 1.1 1.2
Perceptions of Health Benefits of Specific Small Fish Species (by Bangladeshi Women):
good for/protect eyes; full of vitamins; good for pregnancy and lactation; gives strength; builds
up blood

7. Innovative Production Technologies for Small Fish
• Sustainable management of wetlands with
enhanced stocking of nutrient-rich small
fish
• Small-scale homestead pond polyculture
of carps and nutrient-rich small fish (mola)
- small fish for household intake
- carps for household income
• Integration of:
- Production of nutrient-rich vegetables in
homestead and on pond dykes
- Behaviour change communication on
essential nutrition and hygiene actions
- Gender equity

8. Increased Fish Production Alone is Insufficient
• Behaviour Change
Communication: for increased fish
consumption, especially at the
start of complementary feeding
• Improvement in Post-harvest
Processes: processing (drying),
storage, marketing, food safety,
cooking methods
• Reduction of Spoilage and
Wastage
• Increased Use of Small Marine
Fish for Human Consumption
present use: fish meal and fish
oil

9. Nutrient composition of
fish-based complementary food
(per 100 g dry product)
15% dried darkina fish, 30% orange sweet potato flour,
10% soybean oil, 45% rice flour
Energy Protein Fat Iron Zinc Calcium Vit A
420 kcal 12 g 13 g 15 mg 4.5 mg 895 mg 836 RAE

10. Fish and Fish Products in 1,000 Days
and Beyond
• Fish chutney for women and adolescent girls: dried small fish, onion,
garlic, chili and oil – community-based income generation for women
• Business Analysis and Plan: e.g. source and price of ingredients;
manufacturing, shelf life, marketing, demand

11. Moving Forward
• Data Needs – fish species nutrient composition, intra-
household consumption, enhancing factor of fish on
bioavailability
• Scaling Out of Production Systems with small fish species
• Focus on Food Systems and Diet – not single food / nutrient
• Partnership and Collaboration