Unsafe and unhealthy dietary habits are contributing to the rising risk of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh, according to experts speaking at a webinar titled “Dietary Habit and Hypertension Risk.” The event was organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) on Wednesday, October 15, ahead of World Food Day 2025, which will be observed under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
Speakers emphasized that proper dietary habits can significantly lower the risk of hypertension and related NCDs, which are major contributors to mortality in Bangladesh. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies excessive salt and trans fat intake as modifiable risk factors for hypertension.
According to WHO, an estimated 3.9 million deaths globally in 2017 were attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Evidence also suggests that consuming fruits and vegetables as part of a diet low in fat, sugar, and salt can help prevent NCDs and related risk factors.
Key insights from the webinar:
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Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said, “In addition to enforcing trans-fat control regulations, BFSA has taken the initiative to introduce front-of-pack labeling, which will play an effective role in promoting healthy eating and combating non-communicable diseases.”
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Dr. Geeta Rani Devi, Program Manager of Community-Based Health Care (CBHC), stated, “We are working to promote healthy eating habits to prevent hypertension. Initiatives should start at the community level, followed by the development of an action plan through policy advocacy.”
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Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation, said, “Along with raising public awareness, a system should be implemented that enables consumers to identify salt and other ingredient contents in processed foods before making purchases.”
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Dr. Khaleda Islam, Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, highlighted, “Reducing the prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases requires both healthy dietary practices and lifestyle modification.”
The discussion was also attended by Mustak Hassan Md Iftekhar, Founding Chairman of BFSA, and Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI. The session was chaired by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, and moderated by Sadia Galiba Prova, Coordinator at PROGGA. Participants from various regions and professions across the country joined the webinar.
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