"Anemia has long been identified as a severe public health problem in Bangladesh and the recent anaemia prevalence was higher than that of a similar survey conducted in 2001 which leads to low birth weight, impairs growth and brain development, and low work productivity," it said.

Conducted by The Helen Keller International in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health Nutrition, the study suggested that the government should take a nation-wide strategy to prevent anaemia.

Referring to the decline in economic performance due to anaemia, it said the prevalence of anaemia is especially high among very young children. Ninety-two per cent of children aged between six and 11 months are suffering from this problem.

The prevalence of anaemia is also higher among the women and adolescent girls, it added.

"The control of anaemia must be prioritised to achieve several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, namely reducing hunger and maternal mortality and achieving universal primary education."