Bite the Talk Ep 14—Nothing about Us without Us
Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, August 2022
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
Representatives from youth-driven organizations advocate for young people to be aware, equipped, empowered, and engaged to address food and nutrition issues. Speakers seek greater understanding of how government, business, other development actors, and young people can work together to ensure food system sustainability. This is a podcast with a transcript.
Blended Learning Using Peer Mentoring and WhatsApp for Building Capacity of Health Workers for Strengthening Immunization Services in Kenya
Hossain, Iqbal, Isaac Mugoya, Lilian Muchai, et al. Global Health: Science and Practice, March 2021
Research Articles
Peer mentoring for immunization capacity building of maternal and child health nurses using WhatsApp increased mentees' knowledge, skills, and practices; improved engagement with peers; and promoted discussion and learning. Peer mentoring and WhatsApp networking are useful blended learning methods for need-based and individualized capacity building of health workers. Research to assess the comparative cost-benefit between classroom-based training and peer mentoring with WhatsApp networking will be useful.
Body Composition During Outpatient Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition: Results from a Randomised Trial Testing Different Doses of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods
Kangas, Suvi T., Pernille Kaestel, Cécile Salpéteur, et al. Clinical Nutrition, March 2020
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Research Articles
Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), dosed by body weight, are the basis of treatment for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition. Weight gain is the main way to monitor the effectiveness of such therapies. Previous reporting claimed that a lower-than-recommended dose of RUTF led to no less weight gain than the standard dose. This study was designed to examine that reporting and investigate the composition of gained mass based on this differential. The authors found there was no significant difference in tissue accretion in the lower dose of RUTF than in the standard dose.
The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: A Different World
Harvard University Center on the Developing Child, March 2020
- Early Childhood Development
Events
Caregivers and health care workers caring for children through the current pandemic can listen to this series of podcasts on child development for advice and support. The podcasts cover a range of topics on how best to protect child development in the context of COVID-19, including the importance of caregiver mental health, how children can safely receive care from their pediatrician, and how to mitigate the effects on children as the virus disproportionately affects communities of color.
Breastfeeding and COVID-19
World Health Organization, June 2020
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Reports and Tools
The World Health Organization recommends that mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be encouraged to practice skin-to-skin contact and initiate or continue breastfeeding while practicing infection prevention and control measures. Current data suggest that the health benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks of potential infant or child COVID-19 infection. Current data are insufficient to conclude vertical transmission of COVID-19 through breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding and Humanitarian Emergencies: The Experiences of Pregnant and Lactating Women during the Earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy
Giusti, Angela, Francesca Marchetti, Francesca Zambri, et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, June 2022
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Research Articles
Findings include the central role of partner and family support, the need for spaces where mothers can share experiences and practices with each other, the lack of breastfeeding support after hospital discharge, and the inappropriate donation and distribution of breastmilk substitutes.
Breastfeeding in the 21st Century
World Health Organization, 2016
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
Countries need to invest in policies and programs that support women’s breastfeeding decisions. Promoting lactation-friendly employment conditions, and ensuring the availability of health services that support women and their families in breastfeeding, are particularly important.
Breastfeeding Knowledge and Practices of Working Mothers in the Informal Economy in New Delhi: A Formative Study to Explore New Intervention Pathways towards Improved Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
Chowdhury, Antara Rai, Aditi Surie, and Gautam Bhan. Social Science & Medicine, July 2021
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Research Articles
The conditions and nature of informal employment shape maternal and child health outcomes. Delaying the mother's return to work, increasing the proximity between mother and child, ensuring greater knowledge of breastfeeding and early childhood development practices, improving problem solving capacity and agency of the mother, and providing enabling home and workplace conditions are important interventions. This article is behind a paywall.
Breastfeeding Practices after a Counselling Intervention for Factory Workers in Bangladesh
Haider, Rukhsana, Virginia Thorley, Jennifer Yourkavitch. Maternal & Child Nutrition, November 2020
Research Articles
Breastfeeding practices of factory workers in a peer counseling intervention group were significantly better than those in the control group. Factories employing female workers should consider providing skilled community‐based peer counselors to improve infant health outcomes.
Breastfeeding and Prevention of Overweight in Children
WHO, UNICEF, March 2020
- Early Childhood Development
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Reports and Tools
Breastfeeding gives a baby a healthy start in life that extends into adulthood and can even impact nations as a whole. This advocacy brief describes the various benefits of breastfeeding, focusing on the reduction of childhood overweight risk and obesity that can extend into adulthood. On a larger scale, it advocates for breastfeeding as a means to reduce healthcare costs and support the development of nations.
Breastfeeding Protection, Promotion, and Support in Humanitarian Emergencies: A Systematic Review of Literature
Dall'Oglio, Immacolata, Francesca Marchetti, Rachele Mascolo, et al. Journal of Human Lactation, November 2020
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Research Articles
While Infant and Young Children Feeding in Emergency guidelines outline interventions to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, these recommendations are rarely applied. Research evaluating the influence of interventions aimed at improving breastfeeding in emergency settings is important to encourage and implement optimal breastfeeding practices. This article is behind a paywall.
Breastfeeding, Physical Growth, and Cognitive Development
Wallenborn, Jordyn T., Gillian A. Levine, Angélica Carreira dos Santos, et al. Pediatrics, May 2021
- Early Childhood Development
Research Articles
Complying with the World Health Organization recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, then practice complementary feeding until 2 years of age, is associated with improved child development and height-for-age z-score and a 67 percent decrease in the odds of stunting. This article is behind a paywall.
Breastfeeding: A Key Investment in Human Capital
Murthi, Mamta, and Meera Shekar, Pediatrics, March 2021
- Early Childhood Development
Reports and Tools
The Human Capital Index (HCI) suggests that, on average, a child born in sub-Saharan Africa is likely to reach only 40 percent of their full earnings potential. Because undernutrition and child mortality rates contribute significantly to the HCI, breastfeeding is a key factor in human capital development. This article is behind a paywall.
Breastfeeding: Not Just Mom’s Job—How USAID Promotes and Protects Breastfeeding
USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2021
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
Optimal breastfeeding is one of the most powerful solutions to save the lives of infants and children. Improving breastfeeding extends beyond supporting the woman and child—requiring encouragement and support from skilled counselors, family members, health care providers, employers, policymakers, and others.
Briefing Note: WHO Guideline on the Prevention and Management of Wasting and Nutritional Oedema (Acute Malnutrition) in Infants and Children Under 5 Years
World Health Organization, June 2023
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Reports and Tools
Mothers and infants at risk of poor growth and development should be cared for as a unit and breastfeeding support is critical. Not all children with moderate wasting need specially formulated food and programmers should prioritize those who need this support based on certain risk factors. All children with moderate wasting need a health assessment to rule out medical problems and access to a nutrient-dense diet. Community health workers can support most children within the community setting if trained and given supervision and support.
Bringing Greater Precision to Interactions between Community Health Workers and Households to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes in India
Smittenaar, Peter, B.M. Ramesh, Mokshada Jain, et al. Global Health: Science and Practice, October 2020
- Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Research Articles
Community health worker (CHW) presence, number, and timing of visits, counseling, and behavior change messaging strategies, and focus on specific household members are associated with recommended maternal and newborn care practices, including early initiation of and exclusive breastfeeding. Counseling, training, strong supervision, and tools that can help CHWs prioritize and track beneficiaries and suggest behavior change strategies are critical.
Building Better Breastfeeding Counselling Programmes: New Tools for Implementation
Global Breastfeeding Collective, August 2021
Events
This webinar provides an overview of breastfeeding-related tools, including implementation guidance on counseling women to improve breastfeeding practices; a training course for infant and young child feeding counseling; operational guidance for breastfeeding counseling in emergencies; and an advocacy brief about the role of midwives and nurses in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding. Recordings are available in Arabic, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Building Climate Resilience for Nutrition
USAID Advancing Nutrition, April 2022
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
Protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding reduces emissions related to livestock care and milk production, farming, production of containers, transportation associated with distribution systems, and disposal of associated waste. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices produce more nutrient-rich food and can mitigate climate change through composting, less intensive agriculture that reduces use of heavy machinery, and integrated pest management.
Building the Competency of Health Professionals in the Kyrgyz Republic for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Klein, Alyssa, Charlotte Block, Adil Mansimov, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, July 2023
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Research Articles
In the Kyrgyz Republic, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the implementation of the updated Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative policy and guidance. Gaps in prioritizing, funding, and monitoring breastfeeding counseling and supporting competency building remain. Multi-sectoral advocacy to secure greater commitment and funding within and beyond the health system is critical.
Building Forward Better—An Exploration of Nutrition Practices, Food Choice, and Coping Behaviors Among Kenyan Adolescents During COVID-19: Experiences and Program Implications
Kavle, Justine A., Patrick Codjia, Constance Gathi, et al. Food Science & Nutrition, December 2022
- Food Systems
Research Articles
Adolescents in Kenya skipped meals and reduced the amount and variety of foods consumed during the COVID-19 pandemic and reported working in the informal sector and selling personal items to support their families. Authors recommend programming to strengthen and improve access to social protection measures and agricultural initiatives for vulnerable families with adolescents and help adolescents develop life skills to encourage good nutrition.
Building the Future of Girls: Alive & Thrive Interventions for Improved Adolescent Nutrition in Ethiopia
Alive & Thrive, October 2022
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Reports and Tools
These videos introduce Alive & Thrive’s adolescent nutrition intervention, including interviews with girls, school teachers and administrators, health extension workers, government officials, and project staff. The videos are available in Amharic with English subtitles.
Building Healthy Communities at Home and Abroad: Catalyzing the Impact of the U.S. Government’s Efforts to Support Breastfeeding Families
U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan, August 13, 2019, Washington, DC
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Events
As a leader in global nutrition and development, the U.S. Government recognizes the critical role that the 1,000-day window between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday has on child growth, cognitive development, and disease prevention. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, the U.S. Government Global Nutrition Coordination Plan hosted an event in Washington DC on August 2019 to bring together U.S. Government departments and agencies, implementing partners, external stakeholders, civil society, and other breastfeeding advocates. Participants discussed skilled support for breastfeeding as well as U.S. Government investments supporting families to breastfeed in the workplace and in communities.
Building High-Quality Health Systems to Improve Nutrition Services for Women and Children: Policy and Implementation Considerations
World Bank Group, August 2022
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Reports and Tools
High-quality health systems for nutrition require integrated service provision and supplies, performance monitoring, strategic purchasing, and functioning referral services. Critical to achieve this are political leadership and commitment, well-defined quality metrics, quality and timely nutrition data, and a strong accountability system.
Building Momentum for Nutrition: Putting Proven Tools to Work
USAID MOMENTUM, March 2023
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
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.