Estimates of a Multidimensional Index of Nurturing Care in the Next 1000 Days of Life for Children in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Modelling Study
McCoy, Dana Charles, Jonathan Seiden, Jorge Cuartas, et al. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, May 2022
- Early Childhood Development
Research Articles
Most children in low and middle-income countries are not receiving minimally adequate nurturing care during the next 1,000 days of their lives. Further investments in indicator measurement and resources for preschool-age children are important, particularly for low-income populations and in the domains of responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security. This article is behind a paywall.
Estimating the Cost and Affordability of Healthy Diets: How Much do Methods Matter?
International Food Policy Research Institute, April 2023
- Food Systems
Reports and Tools
While the cost and affordability of a healthy diet (CoAHD) metric is widely used, little is known about the accuracy and sensitivity of CoAHD indicators. Proposed methodological improvements significantly change estimates of healthy diet affordability, indicating the need for further research.
Estimating National and Subnational Nutrient Intake Distributions of Global Diets
Passarelli, Simone, Christopher M. Free, Lindsay H. Allen, et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2022
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Research Articles
Researchers found nutrient intake distributions were rarely symmetric, while variability and skewness differed significantly based on nutrient and population subgroup. The shape of nutrient intake distributions strongly influenced estimates of nutrient intake inadequacy.
Ethiopian Mothers' Experiences with Micronutrient Powders: Perspectives from Continuing and Noncontinuing Users
Pelto, Gretel H., Alison Tumilowicz, Courtney H. Schnefke, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, Vol. 15, Issue S5. October 17, 2019
- Nutrition and Health Systems
- Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Research Articles
To respond to deficiencies in the diets of children 0-23 months old, the Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia worked with partner organizations to deliver micronutrient powders (MNP) through health extension workers. Researchers conducted ethnographic interviews with caregivers who were part of this trial, focusing on their experiences using MNP and barriers to use. The findings emphasize the need to help caregivers navigate negative child reactions to MNP and call for additional research on taste preferences and mother-child interactions around food with and without MNP in resource‐constrained environments.
Ethnicity, Information and Cooperation: Evidence from a Group-Based Nutrition Intervention
Raghunathan, Kalyani, Muzna Alvi, Mrignyani Sehgal. Food Policy, October 2023
- Capacity Strengthening
Research Articles
Information retention was higher when delivered by someone lower in the ethnic hierarchy while individual contributions to group-owned kitchen gardens increased more when training was delivered by those higher in the hierarchy. Education, group cohesion, and perceived trainer ability also impacted knowledge and contributions. Program staff should consider these factors to achieve greater success.
Evaluating the Role of Breastfeeding Peer Supporters’ Intervention on the Inpatient Management of Malnourished Infants Under 6 Months in Kenyan Public Hospitals
Mwangome, Martha, Nicole Feune de Colombi, Sophie Chabeda, et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, November 2022
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Research Articles
Peer supporters of breastfeeding play an important role in recording and reporting practices and in ensuring that breastfeeding is central to the management of inpatient malnourished infants in Kenya. Implementation tools facilitate their effective application and should accompany guideline formulation.
Evaluation of a Community-Based Mobile Video Breastfeeding Intervention in Khayelitsha, South Africa: The Philani MOVIE Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Adam, Maya, Jamie Johnston, Nophiwe Job, et al. PLOS Medicine, September 2021
- Early Childhood Development
Research Articles
Videos were as effective as face-to-face counseling when community health workers (CHWs) used them to replace a portion of that counseling. mHealth video interventions could be a feasible and practical solution to support the delivery and scaling of community health promotion services when the CHW workforce is limited.
An Evaluation of Chile’s Law of Food Labeling and Advertising on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Purchases from 2015 to 2017: A Before-and-After Study
Taillie, Lindsey Smith, Marcela Reyes, M. Arantxa Colchero, et al. PLOS Medicine, 17(2): e1003015, February 2020
- Food Systems
Research Articles
Policymakers and the public continue to debate the role of policy in limiting consumption of sugary beverages to reduce obesity. A recent study in Chile demonstrates that labeling, taxes, and other policies are effective—consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages dropped by about 25 percent after the government adopted sweeping regulations in 2016, including advertising restrictions, warning labels, and a junk food ban in schools. The results suggest that a far-reaching approach, like Chile’s policy package, could be more effective at reducing sugar consumption than standalone policies.
Evaluation of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation and Medium-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplementation in Pregnancy on Child Development in Rural Niger: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Sudfeld, Christopher. R., Lilia Bliznashka, Aichatou Salifou, et al. PLoS Medicine, May 2022
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Research Articles
Prenatal macronutrient and micronutrient supplementation provided no benefit for child development outcomes when compared with iron-folic acid supplementation. Prenatal lipid-based nutrient supplements had a positive effect on cognitive development trajectory and time to achieve selected gross motor milestones.
Every Child Counts: Using Gender Data to Drive Results for Children
UNICEF, January 2020
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Reports and Tools
In response to a demand for high-quality gender data and statistics, this report details UNICEF’s gender statistics framework and best practices for advancing gender data for children. This five-part document explains how UNICEF aims to apply a gender perspective during child data production, analysis, and dissemination. In addition, it identifies future UNICEF investments in quality data to address gender inequality in a child’s first two decades of life.
Evidence and Guidance Note on the Use of Cash and Voucher Assistance for Nutrition Outcomes in Emergencies
CashCap and Global Nutrition Cluster, August 2020
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Reports and Tools
Cash and voucher assistance can improve maternal and child nutrition by increasing individuals’ ability to purchase goods and access services. Conditional transfers increase participation in nutrition social behavior change activities and preventive health services.
Evidence on Child Nutrition Recommendations and Challenges in Crisis Settings: A Scoping Review
Marshall, Aniqa Islam, Gideon Lasco, Mathudara Phaiyarom, et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, June 2021
- Nutrition in Humanitarian Contexts
Research Articles
Evidence demonstrates the effects of crises on nutritional status, diet intake, anthropometric failure, and long-term child development, but shows that crisis-related interventions improve nutrition-related knowledge and practices. Further studies should focus on the sustainability of interventions and the success of existing guidelines and should extend the age range from three to five years.
Evidence on the Linkages Between Gender-Based Violence and Nutrition: Summary of Findings Specific to Adolescent Girls
UNICEF, December 2022
- Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Reports and Tools
This literature review found limited research specifically investigating linkages between gender-based violence and nutrition outcomes among adolescent girls. Investing in research that disaggregates data by age is critical to understanding the experiences and specific needs of adolescent girls.
Evidence-Informed Milestones for Developmental Surveillance Tools
Zubler, Jennifer M., Lisa D. Wiggins, Michelle M. Macias, et al. Pediatrics, February 2022
- Early Childhood Development
Research Articles
Revised milestones and checklists can support developmental surveillance, clinical judgment for additional developmental screening, and research in developmental surveillance processes. Researchers identified gaps in developmental data, particularly for social-emotional and cognitive milestones.
Examining the Association between Anemia and Early Childhood Development in 9 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The Demographic and Health Surveys Program, September 2022
- Early Childhood Development
Reports and Tools
Results showed no significant association between anemia and early childhood development (ECD) domains or the overall ECD index, except social-emotional development in Benin and physical development in Maldives.
Examining Coverage, Content, and Impact of Maternal Nutrition Interventions: The Case for Quality-Adjusted Coverage Measurement
Joseph, Naima T, Ellen Piwoz, Dennis Lee, et al. Journal of Global Health, Vol. 10(1):010501, June 2020
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Research Articles
To better understand health system performance and the benefits of accessing antenatal care, the authors adjusted maternity care coverage measures for quality of nutrition interventions in Malawi to determine the impact of infant birth weight and breastfeeding. The adjustments showed that despite high utilization of maternal health services, low provision of nutrition interventions is undermining infant health. The authors conclude that strengthening the quality of existing services would lead to improvements in newborn health.
Excess Risk of Preterm Birth with Periconceptional Iron Supplementation in a Malaria Endemic Area: Analysis of Secondary Data on Birth Outcomes in a Double Blind Randomized Controlled Safety Trial in Burkina Faso
Bernard et al. Malaria Journal. May 2019. Vol. 18 No. 161
- Nutrition and Health Systems
Research Articles
To examine the effects of long-term weekly iron supplementation on malaria and genital tract infections in pregnant and non-pregnant women, researchers used secondary data on birth outcomes from a double-blind randomized control trial in Burkina Faso. The analysis examined the effects of long-term weekly iron supplementation on malaria and genital tract infections in pregnant and non-pregnant women. The secondary data researchers examined included ultrasound-dated gestational age, fetal growth, placental malaria, chorioamnionitis, and iron biomarkers. The study found that long-term iron supplementation leads to excess preterm births in the malaria endemic area, especially during the malaria transmission season.
Exchangeable Zinc Pool Size Reflects Form of Zinc Supplementation in Young Children and Is Not Associated with Markers of Inflammation
Long, Julie M., Afsana Mim Khandaker, Rahvia Alam Sthity, et al. Nutrients, January 2022
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Research Articles
Researchers commonly use serum or plasma zinc and proxy indicators to assess zinc status, but each has limitations. Longitudinal zinc supplementation affected exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size and reflected the expected difference in bioavailability for two forms of supplementation. Researchers did not find an effect of inflammation on EZP size, which may support its use as a biomarker for comparisons between different interventions.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: Measurement to Match the Global Recommendation
Alayón, Silvia, Veronica Varela, Altrena Mukuria-Ashe, et al. Maternal & Child Nutrition, August 2022
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Research Articles
Twenty-four-hour recalls of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) often overestimate the percentage of infants exclusively breastfed. Researchers compared five other methods to measure EBF. Calculating the midpoint prevalence among infants 4–5.9 and 6–7.9 months and a since-birth recall among infants aged 6–11.9 months were feasible to collect in household surveys and better align with the EBF for six months as recommended.
Exemplars Data Explorer
Exemplars in Global Health, 2021
- Knowledge Management
Reports and Tools
Users can create and share custom visualizations to interpret data related to stunting and wasting, exclusive breastfeeding, micronutrient supplementation, and other health topics.
Existing Knowledge on Zn Status Biomarkers (1963–2021) with a Particular Focus on FADS1 and FADS2 Diagnostic Performance and Recommendations for Further Research
Knez, Marija, Erick Boy. Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2023
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Research Articles
This paper discusses the sensitivity, specificity, and responsiveness of plasma zinc (Zn) concentrations to Zn interventions; describes the biochemical and dietary basis for the causal association between Zn and fatty acid desaturases activity, FADS1 and FADS2; and discusses the influence of potential confounders and covariates on observed relationships.
Expanding Integrated Competency-Focused Health Worker Curricula for Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition
Becker, Genevieve Ellen, Jennifer Cashin, Tuan T. Nguyen, et al. Education Sciences, July 2022
- Capacity Strengthening
Research Articles
To ensure health workers have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver nutrition services and accurate information, they need evidence-based competency standards; tools for learning, teaching, and assessment; and outcome monitoring.
Experiences Engaging Family Members in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Nutrition: A Survey of Global Health Professionals
Lowery, Caitlin M., Hope C. Craig, Kate Litvin, et al. Current Developments in Nutrition, January 2022
- Social and Behavior Change and Gender
Research Articles
This research surveyed health professionals to document their experiences engaging family members in nutrition activities, their perceived barriers and facilitators, and their recommendations. Such research fills gaps in peer-reviewed literature to strengthen intervention design and implementation. Community ownership and sustainability emerged as key benefits of family engagement; responses also highlighted potential unintended consequences.
Experiences of Incorporating Support for Early Childhood Development into the Baby Friendly Community Initiative in Rural Kenya
Mwoma, Teresa, Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo, Emma Haycraft, et al. Journal of the British Academy, March 2020
- Early Childhood Development
Research Articles
The Care for Child Development package trains community health volunteers to help caregivers provide nurturing care and develop stronger relationships with young children. Participating volunteers reported that training increased their skills and confidence, while caregivers reported learning about feeding practices and the importance of play. The authors conclude that there is political will in Kenya to support a care package to promote optimal early child development.