Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Abstract Background While existing studies conducted in South Asian countries have provided valuable insights into the nutritional status of the marginalized third-gender population and highlighted suboptimal nutritional conditions, regrettably such data is lacking in Bangladesh. Addressing this dat...
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2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00736-2 |
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| author | Mahjabin Hossain Faria Maisha Maliha Aliza Tabassum Khurshid Jahan Moffashara Sultana Ratna S.K. Roy |
| author_facet | Mahjabin Hossain Faria Maisha Maliha Aliza Tabassum Khurshid Jahan Moffashara Sultana Ratna S.K. Roy |
| author_sort | Mahjabin Hossain Faria |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background While existing studies conducted in South Asian countries have provided valuable insights into the nutritional status of the marginalized third-gender population and highlighted suboptimal nutritional conditions, regrettably such data is lacking in Bangladesh. Addressing this data gap is crucial to understanding and improving the nutritional condition of the third-gender community. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate their nutritional status, dietary protein intake, lifestyle, social behavior, nutritional knowledge, and prevalence of diseases. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Fifty participants from the third-gender community were selected. Study subjects were individually interviewed through a structured questionnaire to gather specific data. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Logistic Regression, Shapiro-Wilk Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Chi-square tests were carried out to measure the associations among the variables. Results The average age of the participants was 32.74 ± 9.30 years, with 26% lacking formal education and 72% engaged in money collection as a primary occupation. 36% earned less than BDT 5,000 monthly, with only 2% exceeding BDT 20,000. The mean height and mean body weights were 163 ± 5.21 cm and 60.64 ± 13.61 kg (mean ± SD) respectively. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 23.02 ± 5.04 kg/m2, among whom 14% were underweight, 56% were normal, 20% were overweight, and 10% were obese. 48% of the participants had poor nutritional knowledge, and 46% had average. 50% of the participants had smoking habits and 34% of the participants consumed alcohol. Nutritional intake was skewed towards plant proteins (72%), with inadequate access to healthcare reported by 56% of subjects. Two-thirds (66%) of the respondents had no illness, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affected 34% of participants, with diabetes (12%) and low pressure (8%) prevalent. Smoking significantly correlated with lower normal BMI (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.84, p < 0.05). Unhealthy food intake was significantly associated with underweight risks (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03–0.92, p < 0.05). When compared with male and female Bangladeshi populations, third-gender individuals had higher overweight prevalence, moderate normal BMI rates, and lower malnutrition than males. Conclusion The research identified suboptimal nutritional status among the third-gender population in Bangladesh, highlighting higher rates of both obesity and underweight, as well as a prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-056feea6d0e34d9294b902edfe83a1f0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-056feea6d0e34d9294b902edfe83a1f02025-08-20T02:12:02ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-04-0144111210.1186/s41043-025-00736-2Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, BangladeshMahjabin Hossain Faria0Maisha Maliha1Aliza Tabassum2Khurshid Jahan3Moffashara Sultana Ratna4S.K. Roy5Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB)Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB)Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB)Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB)Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF)Nutrition Foundation of Bangladesh (NFB)Abstract Background While existing studies conducted in South Asian countries have provided valuable insights into the nutritional status of the marginalized third-gender population and highlighted suboptimal nutritional conditions, regrettably such data is lacking in Bangladesh. Addressing this data gap is crucial to understanding and improving the nutritional condition of the third-gender community. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate their nutritional status, dietary protein intake, lifestyle, social behavior, nutritional knowledge, and prevalence of diseases. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Fifty participants from the third-gender community were selected. Study subjects were individually interviewed through a structured questionnaire to gather specific data. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Logistic Regression, Shapiro-Wilk Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and Chi-square tests were carried out to measure the associations among the variables. Results The average age of the participants was 32.74 ± 9.30 years, with 26% lacking formal education and 72% engaged in money collection as a primary occupation. 36% earned less than BDT 5,000 monthly, with only 2% exceeding BDT 20,000. The mean height and mean body weights were 163 ± 5.21 cm and 60.64 ± 13.61 kg (mean ± SD) respectively. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 23.02 ± 5.04 kg/m2, among whom 14% were underweight, 56% were normal, 20% were overweight, and 10% were obese. 48% of the participants had poor nutritional knowledge, and 46% had average. 50% of the participants had smoking habits and 34% of the participants consumed alcohol. Nutritional intake was skewed towards plant proteins (72%), with inadequate access to healthcare reported by 56% of subjects. Two-thirds (66%) of the respondents had no illness, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affected 34% of participants, with diabetes (12%) and low pressure (8%) prevalent. Smoking significantly correlated with lower normal BMI (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07–0.84, p < 0.05). Unhealthy food intake was significantly associated with underweight risks (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03–0.92, p < 0.05). When compared with male and female Bangladeshi populations, third-gender individuals had higher overweight prevalence, moderate normal BMI rates, and lower malnutrition than males. Conclusion The research identified suboptimal nutritional status among the third-gender population in Bangladesh, highlighting higher rates of both obesity and underweight, as well as a prevalence of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00736-2Third genderHijraNutritional statusObesityBMIDisease |
| spellingShingle | Mahjabin Hossain Faria Maisha Maliha Aliza Tabassum Khurshid Jahan Moffashara Sultana Ratna S.K. Roy Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Third gender Hijra Nutritional status Obesity BMI Disease |
| title | Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_full | Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_short | Nutritional status of third-gender population of Dhaka City, Bangladesh |
| title_sort | nutritional status of third gender population of dhaka city bangladesh |
| topic | Third gender Hijra Nutritional status Obesity BMI Disease |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00736-2 |
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