Preventing Malnutrition in Children Under Two Years of Age Approach

Strengthening and Evaluating the "Preventing Malnutrition in Children Under Two Years of Age Approach" (PM2A) in Guatemala and Burundi

Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project 2 of the Academy of Educational Development, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Catholic Relieve Services-Burundi, Mercy Corps-Guatemala

A study conducted by IFPRI in Haiti provided the first programmatic evidence, using a cluster randomized evaluation design, that preventing child undernutrition in children under two years of age (PM2A) through an integrated program providing food rations, BCC and preventive health and nutrition services is both feasible and highly effective. The study's principal aim was to compare a newly designed preventive approach with the traditional (recuperative) food assisted MCHN program approach, and therefore included only two comparison groups: one group of communities that was randomly assigned to the preventive approach and another group assigned to the recuperative approach. For logistical and financial reasons, the study did not include a randomized control group receiving no intervention. The Haiti study design was well-suited to achieve its main goal - i.e. to test whether the preventive approach was more effective than the recuperative approach at preventing child undernutrition - but it left a number of questions unanswered. The present study will address several of these questions, which will allow to further refine the PM2A approach, facilitate its replication in different contexts, and maximize its impact and cost-effectiveness in future programming. The study will be conducted in Guatemala and Burundi. The key research objectives are: Impact and cost effectiveness: Assess the impact and cost effectiveness of PM2A on child nutritional status. Optimal composition and size of food rations in PM2A: Assess the differential and absolute impact of varying the size and types of foods incorporated in the food ration of the PM2A. More specifically, assess the differential effect of different sizes of family food rations, and assess the impact of substituting the individual food ration with new micronutrient-rich products such as lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) or micronutrient Sprinkles. Optimal timing and duration of PM2A: Assess the differential and absolute impact of varying the timing and duration of exposure to PM2A on child nutritional status.

Malnutrition;, Infant nutrition;, Fortified food, Linear growth, Cluster randomized controlled trials, Effectiveness, Impact evaluation studies, Burundi, Guatemala

Different combinations of family food rations, individual food rations, micronutrient supplements and behavior change communication to encourage optimal and age-appropriate infant and child feeding practices

Different combinations of family food rations, individual food rations, micronutrient supplements and behavior change communication to encourage optimal and age-appropriate infant and child feeding practices

Inclusion Criteria: Guatemala: pregnant mothers and subsequently their born children up to the age of 24 months; Burundi: cross-sectional study: children 0 to 42 of age. Exclusion Criteria: none

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Leroy JL, K Olney D, Bliznashka L, Ruel M. Tubaramure, a Food-Assisted Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program in Burundi, Increased Household Food Security and Energy and Micronutrient Consumption, and Maternal and Child Dietary Diversity: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. J Nutr. 2020 Apr 1;150(4):945-957. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxz295.

Leroy JL, Olney DK, Ruel MT. PROCOMIDA, a Food-Assisted Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program, Contributes to Postpartum Weight Retention in Guatemala: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial. J Nutr. 2019 Dec 1;149(12):2219-2227. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxz175.

Olney DK, Leroy JL, Bliznashka L, Ruel MT. A Multisectoral Food-Assisted Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program Targeted to Women and Children in the First 1000 Days Increases Attainment of Language and Motor Milestones among Young Burundian Children. J Nutr. 2019 Oct 1;149(10):1833-1842. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxz133.

Olney DK, Leroy J, Bliznashka L, Ruel MT. PROCOMIDA, a Food-Assisted Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program, Reduces Child Stunting in Guatemala: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial. J Nutr. 2018 Sep 1;148(9):1493-1505. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy138.

Leroy JL, Olney D, Ruel M. Tubaramure, a Food-Assisted Integrated Health and Nutrition Program, Reduces Child Stunting in Burundi: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial. J Nutr. 2018 Mar 1;148(3):445-452. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxx063.

Leroy JL, Olney D, Ruel M. Tubaramure, a Food-Assisted Integrated Health and Nutrition Program in Burundi, Increases Maternal and Child Hemoglobin Concentrations and Reduces Anemia: A Theory-Based Cluster-Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial. J Nutr. 2016 Aug;146(8):1601-8. doi: 10.3945/jn.115.227462. Epub 2016 Jul 13.