icddr,b and UCL launch two documentary films on prevention of NCDs among urban adolescents

Dhaka, August 05, 2019: Today, Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE) project of icddr,b in collaboration with University College London (UCL), United Kingdom organised an event to discuss and launch two documentary films on prevention of non-communicable diseases among urban adolescents. Addressing the question of ‘What influences what we eat?’, scientists at icddr,b and UCL have been working with schools in Bangladesh and in the UK to explore the daily environment of students in the two countries and the things they consider as determinants of what they eat.

The collaboration has initiated a public engagement programme with school students and the production of   two documentary films where students themselves were behind the cameras. The film ‘The Dhaka Diaries’ engaged students of the IPH School and College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, while ‘The Food Diaries’ engaged students of the Perse School (Cambridge) and the Cayley School (London). The students captured their everyday environments to share their own perspectives on how these are driving unhealthy diets.

In his brief welcome address, Dr. Shams El Arifeen, senior director, Maternal and Child Health Division at icddr,b stressed on the importance of lifestyle and dietary changes to prevent non-communicable diseases.  

Professor Sarah Hawkes of Global Public Health, Institute for Global Health, University College London spoke about the determinants of what adolescents eat, she said, “In Bangladesh, as in much of the world, living environments, cities and diets are changing, and the risk of longer term, chronic illnesses are increasing, driven in part by changing diets. Simply equipping young people with knowledge of healthier diets is not sufficient for preventing ill health. In environments with pervasive advertising, low quality fast-food and a lack of healthy options, young people have limited choice when it comes to healthy diets. There is a clear need to regulate advertising, support healthy food options and create living environments where it is easy, not difficult, to be healthy.”

In his remark, Prof Dr. AHM Enayet Hossain, Additional Director General of Health Services (Planning and Development) and Line Director, NCD, DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said, “The evidence that we have related to consumption of unhealthy foods are very alarming, we are consuming double the amount of salt recommended by the World Health Organisation. We need to have more collaborative public engagement programme in order to raise awareness in promoting healthy diets.” 

The Honourable Mayor of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md. Atiqul Islam was the Chief Guest of the event, he stressed on the Sustainable Development Goal 3 which is ‘good health and well-being’, he said, “I would like to work closely with non-communicable disease initiative of the government, icddr,b and other organisations to undertake behaviour change campaign in order to increase awareness related to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and kidney disease. I will make digital board placed in DNCC’s markets available for disseminating healthy lifestyle promoting messages.”

In the closing remark, Mr Syed Monjurul Islam, Deputy Executive Director at icddr,b expressed his gratitude to the chief guest and other participants. He has also appreciated the initiative and stressed on the cooperation from the DNCC in this regard.

Freedom Fighter A.K.M. Jashimuddin, Chairperson, IPH School and College, Dhaka, two students of IPH School and College also spoke on the occasion.

Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE) project is supported by the European Union (EU). The implementing partners of SHARE project are the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

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