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May 2023

IconCapacity Strengthening

Research Articles

Nutrition Capacity Assessment of Agriculture Extension Services in Nigeria

Adeyemi, Olutayo, Victor Adejoh, Olufolakemi Anjorin, et al. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, March 2023
  • Capacity Strengthening
Deploying agriculture extension agents to deliver nutrition services requires sufficient staffing, better transportation, additional training, and improvements in organizational capacity. It also requires addressing contextual factors, including worker safety. This article is behind a paywall.

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Stronger Food and Nutrition Security Impacts from More Intense Project Participation: Evidence from a Multi-Country Intervention Program

Steinke, Jonathan, Lemlem Teklegiorgis Habtemariam, Christoph Kubitza, et al. The Journal of Development Studies, March 2023
  • Capacity Strengthening
Households targeted for programming were more likely to be food secure, targeted women and children were more likely to consume a nutrient-adequate diet, and each additional intervention increased the probability of achieving positive nutrition outcomes. Stakeholders should diversify intervention packages and enable and incentivize beneficiaries to participate in multiple interventions.

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Reports and Tools

Coordination at the Heart of the SUN Movement in Mali: The Role of Multi-Stakeholder and Multi-Sectoral Platforms

Scaling Up Nutrition, March 2023
  • Capacity Strengthening
This case study identifies the local definition of multi-stakeholder/multi-sectoral platforms and country-level governance arrangements and structures for them. It discusses key achievements and emerging challenges faced by these platforms and how to sustain progress. This report is available in English and French.

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IconEarly Childhood Development

Research Articles

Effects of Engaging Fathers and Bundling Nutrition and Parenting Interventions on Household Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in Rural Tanzania: Results from EFFECTS, a Five-Arm Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Galvin, Lauren, Cristiana K. Verissimo, Ramya Ambikapathi, et al. Social Science & Medicine, May 2023
  • Early Childhood Development
Engaging fathers and bundling nutrition and parenting programs impacted gender attitudes, the frequency of communication between parents, and women's dietary diversity. 

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Nutritional Care for Children with Feeding Difficulties and Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Klein, Alyssa, Malia Uyehara, Andrew Cunningham, et al. PLOS Global Public Health, March 2023
Policies, programs, evidence, and funding to support children with feeding difficulties and disabilities and their families are insufficient. Recommendations include strengthening systems to improve identification and service provision, providing direct support to families to improve nutrition outcomes, engaging in advocacy to raise awareness of needs and opportunities, and building the evidence base on effective interventions.

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Events

Applying a Systems Thinking Approach to Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development Action Network, March 2023
  • Early Childhood Development
Speakers discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and other disruptions could prompt innovation and how applying systems thinking could help address longstanding challenges, such as scaling interventions, sustainability, and equity. This is a webinar.

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Global Launch of the Nurturing Care Handbook and Practice Guide

Early Childhood Development Action Network, March 2023
  • Early Childhood Development
The handbook and guide provide practical guidance, training materials, tools, and examples for implementing the Nurturing Care Framework in various settings and strengthen advocacy and capacity strengthening efforts. This is a webinar.

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Virtual Convening on Improving Nutrition among Children with Feeding Difficulties and Children with Disabilities

USAID Advancing Nutrition and UNICEF, May 2022
  • Early Childhood Development
This convening engaged experts working in nutrition, health, and disability programming; policy making and advocacy; and research in discussions around opportunities to improve nutritional care for children with feeding difficulties and children with disabilities.

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IconFood Systems

Research Articles

Achieving Food Security Through a Food Systems Lens

Fanzo, Jessica. Resilience and Food Security in a Food Systems Context, March 2023
  • Food Systems
This book chapter examines how food security has been framed and addressed historically. The author stresses the importance of a food systems approach to addressing the increasingly complex dynamics that impact food security.

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Maladaptation in Food Systems and Ways to Avoid it

Kerr, Rachel Bezner. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, April 2023
  • Food Systems
The author reviews current literature and examples of outcomes that may increase risk or vulnerability to climate change and discusses prevention strategies. Recommendations include addressing policy and market conditions that hinder resilient-adaptive practices in food systems and designing policies and programs to address the political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions of climate change adaptation. This article is behind a paywall.

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Sustainable Development Outlooks to Subsistent Apiculture in a Transition: The Case of Ethiopia

Hailu, Teweldemedhn Gebretinsae, Mizeck Chagunda, Peter Rosenkranz. Journal of Apicultural Research, March 2023
  • Food Systems
Using locally developed top-bar hives rather than traditional beehives increases annual honey production in Ethiopia by 40 percent, but development initiatives continue to overwhelmingly focus on traditional hives. This article is behind a paywall.

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Reports and Tools

The State of Food Systems Worldwide: Counting Down to 2030

Cornell University, March 2023
  • Food Systems
This paper presents the process used to construct the first global food systems baseline to track changes and underscore the importance of food systems-specific monitoring and transformation agendas. While data are available for most domains, off-farm livelihoods, food loss and waste, and governance represent critical data gaps. Tracking indicators will contribute to data-driven food systems governance and increase accountability for achieving goals.

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Sustainable Aquatic Foods (Sea Vegetables and Bivalves) Toolkits for Chefs, Food Service Professionals, and Healthcare Professionals

Food for Climate League, Food + Planet, April 2023
  • Food Systems
These evidence-based tools and resources support chefs, food service operators, leaders in consumer packaged goods, and nutrition professionals in promoting and marketing bivalves and sea vegetables.

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Events

USAID Agency Learning and Evidence Month 2023

USAID Learning Lab, April 2023
  • Food Systems
Webinar topics include operational effectiveness; resilience to shocks; climate change; addressing corruption, migration, and forced displacement; diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; affirmative development; locally led development; and partnering for sustainability. This is a series of webinars. 

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IconKnowledge Management

Reports and Tools

Building Momentum for Nutrition: Putting Proven Tools to Work

USAID MOMENTUM, March 2023
  • Knowledge Management
This interactive webpage discusses challenges related to addressing nutrition, including COVID-19, climate change, and conflict. It presents cost-effective and evidence-based solutions and tools for ending severe malnutrition, discusses the goals of the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act, and highlights USAID MOMENTUM’s work in several countries.

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A Decade of Progress and Action for the Future: Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths, 2023–2030

United States Agency for International Development, March 2023
  • Knowledge Management
This report presents successful innovations, lessons learned, and important approaches to build and sustain momentum and global commitment to improve maternal and child survival.

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Inside Look: How UNICEF is Tackling the Global Nutrition Crisis for Women and Girls

UNICEF, March 2023
  • Knowledge Management
A UNICEF nutrition specialist discusses breaking the cycle of malnutrition, the importance of addressing dangerous social and gender norms, the role of multiple micronutrient supplements and social protection programs in addressing malnutrition, and how addressing individual nutrition benefits society as a whole. She shares UNICEF targets for addressing malnutrition and success stories working with local partners.

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Events

Coffee and Chai Chat Spotlighting New Global Data and Actions Needed on Hidden Hunger

Micronutrient Forum, March 2023
  • Knowledge Management
Experts discuss how to enhance data collection and identify the best sources of information, modeling methods used to derive estimates of micronutrient deficiencies and data gaps, hidden hunger among women, and priorities for action. This is a series of webinars.

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IconMonitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Research Articles

Antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplements Versus Iron-Folic Acid Supplements and Birth Outcomes: Analysis by Gestational Age Assessment Method

Gomes, Filomena, Sufia Askari, Robert E. Black, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, March 2023
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Trials performing ultrasounds for gestational age assessment found benefits of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) on low birthweight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age. These analyses strengthen the evidence for the transition from iron-folic acid supplements to MMS in antenatal care programs.

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Anthropometric Criteria for Best-Identifying Children at High Risk of Mortality: A Pooled Analysis of Twelve Cohorts

Khara, Tanya, Mark Myatt, Kate Sadler, et al. Public Health Nutrition, February 2023
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Researchers compared several anthropometric diagnostic criteria to assess risk of child mortality. The best indicators were weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) <−2, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <125 mm, MUAC < 115 mm or WAZ < −3, and WAZ < −3. A combined case definition (MUAC < 115 mm or WAZ < −3) was better at predicting deaths associated with weight-for-height Z-score <−3 and concurrent wasting and stunting than the single WAZ < −3 case definition. While therapeutic feeding programs may achieve greater impact by using a combined case definition, operational concerns remain.

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Complementary and Alternative Metrics for Tracking Population-Level Trends in Child Linear Growth

Aimone, Ashley M., Diego G. Bassani, Huma Qamar, et al. PLOS Global Public Health, April 2023
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Several linear growth metrics derived from anthropometric datasets may be alternatives to or complement stunting prevalence in tracking global progress in child health and nutrition. Further research is critical to explore the real-world use of these metrics.

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IconNutrition and Health Systems

Research Articles

The Effect of Interventions Distributing Home Fortification Products on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices: A Systematic Narrative Review

Locks, Lindsey M., Katharine B. Newell, Annette Imohe, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, February 2023
  • Nutrition and Health Systems
Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements and micronutrient powders can address nutrient gaps for young children in low-resource settings. Programs that combine home fortification products with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions may also contribute to improved IYCF practices in some settings.

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Learning from Health System Actor and Caregiver Experiences in Ghana and Nepal to Strengthen Growth Monitoring and Promotion

Singh, Akriti, Kelsey A. Torres, Nashna Maharjan, et al. PLOS ONE, March 2023
  • Nutrition and Health Systems
Growth monitoring and promotion programs do not always focus on the growth trend for the early detection of growth faltering and preventive actions. Countries should invest in service delivery (e.g., a decision-making algorithm) and demand generation (e.g., integrating this work with responsive care and early learning efforts).

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Reports and Tools

Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women

UNICEF, March 2023
  • Nutrition and Health Systems
This report examines the current status, trends, and inequities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age, and the complex cultural, programmatic, and policy barriers they face in accessing nutritious diets, utilizing essential nutrition services, and benefiting from positive nutrition and care practices. The executive summary is available in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

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IconNutrition in Humanitarian Contexts

Research Articles

School-Based Health and Nutrition Interventions Addressing Double Burden of Malnutrition and Educational Outcomes of Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Shinde, Sachin, Dongqing Wang, Gretchen E. Moulton, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, March 2023
  • Nutrition and Health Systems
This review highlights the need for contextually appropriate, integrated, and multi-component school-based interventions to address all forms of malnutrition and improve education outcomes among adolescents.

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Reports and Tools

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in West and Central Africa at 10-Year High as Crisis Spreads to Coastal Countries

World Food Programme, April 2023
  • Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Global acute malnutrition is growing due to the unaffordability of a diversified nutritious diet; conflict; population displacement; and reduced access to social services, farming land, and fodder. Governments need sustained support to develop social protection programs that target women and young children; strengthen partnerships to prevent and treat acute malnutrition among children; and promote climate-smart programs that reduce vulnerability to climate shocks and natural resource depletion. Governments can also strengthen food security and nutrition by building food; health; and water, sanitation, and hygiene systems.

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Impact Evaluation of the SHARPE Programme in Ethiopia: Academic Report

Centre of Excellence for Development Impact and Learning, March 2023
  • Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Robust markets for digital financial services are emerging, but the lowest enrollment rates have been among women and refugees. A randomized trial of the Strengthening Host and Refugee Populations program in Ethiopia encouraged high-volume customers to refer other customers and receive a small bonus for doing so, leading to increased enrollment generally but not among women and refugees. A second trial provided inactive customers with small incentives to start using the system, leading to increased use among women but not among refugees.

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IconSocial and Behavior Change and Gender

Research Articles

The Relationship Between the Gendered Norm of Eating Last and Mental Health of Newly Married Women in Nepal: A Longitudinal Study

Gopalakrishnan, Lakshmi, Nadia Diamond-Smith, Bibhav Acharya, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, March 2023
  • Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Using women’s eating last as an indicator of women’s status in Nepal, researchers found that women who always ate last had an expected depressive symptom severity greater than women who did not eat last, regardless of household food security status.

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Reports and Tools

Nourishing Connections: Community Health Worker Job Aid

USAID Advancing Nutrition, Breakthrough ACTION, March 2023
  • Social and Behavior Change and Gender
This booklet provides detailed activities and instructions for community health workers (CHWs) to assess caregiver nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices; listen carefully; provide compassionate counseling on child feeding through tailored discussions and problem solving; and develop an action plan. The accompanying supporting tools document provides additional methods and activities to help CHWs engage with caregivers.

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Opening the Box on How Gender and Intrahousehold Dynamics Affect What South Asia Eats: Why, How, and Who

International Food Policy Research Institute, March 2023
  • Social and Behavior Change and Gender
To better understand why people consume the foods they do, this blog examines issues of food access, availability, and affordability; taste and preferences; power dynamics; and whose preferences matter most. It also examines how food is procured and prepared, the challenges of doing so, who decides why certain foods are consumed, and who performs food-related tasks.

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Women’s Empowerment: An Essential Ingredient for Improved Nutrition in India

Agrilinks, March 2023
  • Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Participants in this study prioritized joint decision-making between women and men about agriculture-related household assets and women’s use of improved practices to grow nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits or to fish for household consumption and sales. Using a human-centered design approach, participants identified interventions to address harmful gender and social norms, including nutrition-sensitive agriculture training and exposure visits, that let women visit other successful female producers to learn about their experiences and practices.

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Events

Resources for Community Health Workers: Strengthening Nutrition Counseling through Empathetic Care

Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, USAID Advancing Nutrition, March 2023
  • Social and Behavior Change and Gender
This webinar highlights resources developed by Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria using human-centered design to help community health workers improve nutrition counseling. Speakers discuss the Infant and Young Child Feeding Image Bank and how to adapt materials to local contexts and engaged in a question-and-answer session.

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