scholarly journals Effects of a participatory agriculture and nutrition education project on child growth in northern Malawi

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1466-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Bezner Kerr ◽  
Peter R Berti ◽  
Lizzie Shumba
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Growth Scores

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate whether children in households involved in a participatory agriculture and nutrition intervention had improved growth compared to children in matched comparable households and whether the level of involvement and length of time in the project had an effect on child growth.DesignA prospective quasi-experimental study comparing baseline and follow-up data in ‘intervention’ villages with matched subjects in ‘comparison’ villages. Mixed model analyses were conducted on standardized child growth scores (weight- and height-for-age Z-scores), controlling for child age and testing for effects of length of time and intensity of village involvement in the intervention.SettingA participatory agriculture and nutrition project (the Soils, Food and Healthy Communities (SFHC) project) was initiated by Ekwendeni Hospital aimed at improving child nutritional status with smallholder farmers in a rural area in northern Malawi. Agricultural interventions involved intercropping legumes and visits from farmer researchers, while nutrition education involved home visits and group meetings.SubjectsParticipants in intervention villages were self-selected, and control participants were matched by age and household food security status of the child. Over a 6-year period, nine surveys were conducted, taking 3838 height and weight measures of children under the age of 3 years.ResultsThere was an improvement over initial conditions of up to 0·6 in weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ; from −0·4 (sd 0·5) to 0·3 (sd 0·4)) for children in the longest involved villages, and an improvement over initial conditions of 0·8 in WAZ for children in the most intensely involved villages (from −0·6 (sd 0·4) to 0·2 (sd 0·4)).ConclusionsLong-term efforts to improve child nutrition through participatory agricultural interventions had a significant effect on child growth.

scholarly journals Nurturing Environments and Nutrient-Rich Diets May Improve Cognitive Development: Analysis of Cognitive Trajectories from Six to Sixty Months from the MAL-ED Study (OR10-01-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin McCormick ◽  
Laura Caulfield ◽  
Stephanie Richard ◽  
Laura Pendergast ◽  
Laura Murray-Kolb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Middle Income

Abstract Objectives To identify clusters of cognitive developmental trajectories and associated differentiating factors of children aged 6 to 60 months old in 5 low to middle-income sites. Methods We followed 835 children and assessed anthropometry at enrolment (≤ 17 d old); bi-weekly illness data (0–24 and 60 mo); non-diarrheal and diarrheal stools (0–24 mo) analyzed for a panel of enteropathogens; quantitative complementary food intakes (9–24 and 60 mo); micronutrient status (Fe, Zn, Vit A; 7, 15, and 24 mo); quality of the child's home environment (6, 24, and 60 mo) and maternal reasoning ability and depressive symptoms via questionnaire. Child cognitive development was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (6, 15 and 24 mo) and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (60 mo). Clusters of trajectories were identified using a latent class mixed model. Differences between clusters were described using discriminant analysis to rank the contribution of each variable using correlation-adjusted t-scores (CAT). Results Five clusters were identified. From 51 discriminatory factors, 10 had greatest descriptive power: HOME score at 60 mo (mean CAT2 ± SD: 34.6 ± 0.35), proportion of days ill from 0–24 mo (23.9 ± 0.18), years of maternal schooling (13.8 ± 0.23), mean nutrient densities of zinc (12.3 ± 0.07), protein (8.95 ± 0.09), vitamin B6 (8.2 ± 0.10), phytate (7.91 ± 0.05) and mean energy (7.82 ± 0.04) from complementary foods (9–24 mo), % days of exclusive breastfeeding (0–6 mo; 6.42 ± 0.10) and weight-for-age at enrolment (6.14 ± 0.17). The discriminant analysis model fit was statistically significant (Wilk's λ 0.54, P < 0.01). Conclusions Early life factors associated with higher scoring trajectories included stimulation and support for the child in their home, complementary feeding that typified greater diversity and animal-source foods, and maternal years of schooling. Influences associated with lower scoring trajectories included lower weight at enrolment and higher prevalence of illness. Policies promoting maternal and child nutrition, education and fostering a nurturing environment are likely to have greatest impact on child development. Funding Sources The MAL-ED study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with grants to the Foundation for the NIH and NIH/FIC.

scholarly journals Evaluating interventions to improve child nutrition in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Doocy ◽  
Jillian Emerson ◽  
Elizabeth Colantouni ◽  
Johnathan Strong ◽  
Kimberly Amundson-Mansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Farmer Field Schools ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

AbstractObjectiveThe prevention of malnutrition in children under two approach (PM2A), women’s empowerment and agricultural interventions have not been widely evaluated in relation to child diet and nutrition outcomes. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of PM2A, women’s empowerment groups (WEG), farmer field schools (FFS) and farmer-to-farmer training (F2F).DesignCommunity-matched quasi-experimental design; outcome measures included children’s dietary diversity, stunting and underweight.SettingCommunities in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ParticipantsA total of 1312 children from 1113 households.ResultsAchievement of minimum dietary diversity ranged from 22·9 to 39·7 % and was significantly greater in the PM2A and FFS groups (P<0·05 for both comparisons). Fewer than 7·6 and 5·8 % of children in any group met minimum meal frequency and acceptable diet targets; only the PM2A group differed significantly from controls (P<0·05 for both comparisons). The endline stunting prevalence ranged from 54·7 % (PM2A) to 69·1 % (F2F) and underweight prevalence from 22·3 % (FFS) to 34·4 % (F2F). No significant differences were found between intervention groups and controls for nutrition measures; however, lower prevalences of stunting (PM2A, −4 %) and underweight (PM2A and FFS, −7 %) suggest potential impact on nutrition outcomes.ConclusionsChildren in the PM2A and FFS groups had better child diet measures and nutrition outcomes with the best results among PM2A beneficiaries. Interventions that address multiple aspects nutrition education, health, ration provision and income generation may be more effective in improving child diet and nutrition in resource-poor settings than stand-alone approaches.

scholarly journals Microfinance with education in rural Ghana: Men's perception of household level impact

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (49) ◽  
pp. 5776-5788
Author(s):  
LL Hagan ◽  
◽  
R Aryeetey ◽  
EK Colecraft ◽  
GS Marquis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
The Impact

Microcredit schemes have been shown to enhance women’s Income Generation Activities (IGA), household food security, and child nutrition. However, spouses or Male Household Heads (MHH) can influence how women’s loans are invested and how incomes ensuing from the investments are expended. This study describes how MHH perceived and experienced the participation of female caregivers from their household in the Enhancing Child Nutrition through Animal Source Food Management (ENAM) project. The ENAM project was designed as an integrated intervention providing microcredit, entrepreneurship and nutrition education to women in rural communities in Ghana. Eighty-five MHH of ENAM project caregivers in two regions of Ghana were interviewed about their awareness of the microcredit and education intervention, their involvement in the IGA that the caregivers’ loans were invested in, and their perceptions of the impact of the project on the caregivers’ IGA as well as household and child nutrition. The majority of MHH indicated that they had been consulted by the caregivers about the decision to participate in the ENAM project. The most common reasons given for consenting to the caregivers’ decision to participate in the program were expectations that the caregiver would receive business capital (30.6%), education on optimal child feeding (36.5%), and income to enable caregivers to contribute more to household expenses (31.8%). With respect to the project’s impact, MHH perceived that the caregivers’ project participation had a positive impact on their business practices, particularly with respect to improved customer relations. The MHH perceived that caregivers’ incomes increased because of their participation in ENAM as evidenced by regular income savings and increased contributions to household food and non-food expenditures. However, MHH reported decreases in their own contributions to almost all household expenditure categories in response to the perceived increase in caregivers’ incomes. The MHH also perceived improvements in home meal quality. In summary, MHH credited the ENAM project with improved caregiver’s incomes and increased share of household expenses. However, this outcome resulted in unanticipated declines in MHH contribution to household expenses. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of empowering women through social experiments on households.

scholarly journals Edukasi gizi pada ibu oleh kader terlatih meningkatkan asupan energi dan protein pada balita

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Faza Muhammad Abdillah ◽  
Sulistiyawati Sulistiyawati ◽  
Bunga Astria Paramashanti
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Long Term Impact

Child nutrition can have a long-term impact on the development of future human capital, particularly in relation to cognitive capability, productivity, and economic development. We aimed to investigate the influence of maternal nutrition education on energy and protein intakes of children in community feeding centers. This study used a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention control group. A total of 38 child-mother pairs were involved in this research. Mothers in the intervention group received nutritional education delivered by trained cadres for eight sessions in a period of four weeks. Nutritional intake data collection using 24-hour recall. Data were analyzed used the Dependent T-test and Wilcoxon test.  The results showed that nutrition education by trained cadres had a statistically significant effect on increasing energy intake (p= 0,000) and also on protein intake (p= 0,001) in children under-five. Educating mothers about child nutrition significantly increased child energy and protein intake. Involving trained cadres as the educators may result in an effective intervention to improve child dietary intake.

scholarly journals Household food security is associated with growth of infants and young children in rural Bangladesh

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1556-1562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuntal K Saha ◽  
Edward A Frongillo ◽  
Dewan S Alam ◽  
Shams E Arifeen ◽  
Lars Å Persson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Infant Nutrition ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Anthropometric Indices ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Infants And Young Children

AbstractObjectiveDespite a strong relationship between household food security and the health and nutritional status of adults and older children, the association of household food security with the growth of infants and young children has not been adequately studied, particularly in developing countries. We examined the association between household food security and subsequent growth of infants and young children in rural Bangladesh.DesignWe followed 1343 children from birth to 24 months of age who were born in the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Intervention in Matlab (MINIMat) study in rural Bangladesh. A food security scale was created from data collected on household food security from the mothers during pregnancy. Data on weight and length were collected monthly in the first year and quarterly in the second year of life. Anthropometric indices were calculated relative to the 2006 WHO child growth standards. Growth trajectories were modelled using multilevel models for change controlling for possible confounders.ResultsHousehold food security was associated (P < 0·05) with greater subsequent weight and length gain in this cohort. Attained weight, length and anthropometric indices from birth to 24 months were higher (P < 0·001) among those who were in food-secure households. Proportions of underweight and stunting were significantly (P < 0·05) lower in food-secure households.ConclusionsThese results suggest that household food security is a determinant of child growth in rural Bangladesh, and that it may be necessary to ensure food security of these poor rural households to prevent highly prevalent undernutrition in this population and in similar settings elsewhere in the world.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF NUTRITION EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES (KAP) OF SCHOOL-AGE FEMALE ADOLESCENTS REGARDING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 104-109
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Private School ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
School Age ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Adolescents are not fond of outdoor activities or exercises, which becomes the issue of various health-related problems. Proper education regarding physical activity arranged for them is necessary to keep them healthy and active. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to educate school-going female adolescents about the importance and benefits of physical activity. Female adolescents from 10-15 years of age were selected by using a cluster-sampling technique. The sample size was 108 individuals. The study was conducted in two schools of Lahore, a government, and a private school. The study duration was six weeks. Data collection was done by selfstructured questionnaire. The study had 3 phases, first pre-testing, and then interventional phase in which nutrition education was given to students, and after a one-week gap post-testing was done through the same questionnaire. A paired sample t-test was used to analyze data. There was a significant association (p=0.001) showed in results between pre- and post-knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among school-age female adolescents. This study concluded that nutrition intervention has a positive impact on students. Schools should have a proper setup for teaching their students regarding the importance of physical activity and its sound effects on health for the betterment of the community.

scholarly journals Effect of nutrition education by health professionals on pregnancy-specific nutrition knowledge and healthy dietary practice among pregnant women in Asmara, Eritrea: a quasi-experimental study

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2020-000159
Author(s):  
Lidia Ghirmai Teweldemedhin ◽  
Helen Gebretatyos Amanuel ◽  
Soliana Amanuel Berhe ◽  
Ghidey Gebreyohans ◽  
Zemenfes Tsige ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Dietary Practice ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

BackgroundHealthy pregnancy and birth outcomes are greatly influenced by the intake of adequate and balanced nutrition. Pregnant women’s nutritional knowledge and practice have been identified as an important prerequisites for their proper nutritional intake. The antenatal period with the opportunities for regular contact with health professionals appears to be the ideal time and setting to institute the intervention which could maximise pregnant women’s outcome and that of their baby by motivating them to make nutritional changes.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of nutrition education on the appropriate nutritional knowledge and practice of pregnant women.MethodologyA facility-based single-group pre–post quasi-experimental study design was employed in five health facilities providing antenatal care (ANC) service in Asmara on 226 pregnant women. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding nutritional knowledge via interview by trained data collectors during the pretest, immediate post-test and 6 weeks later. The practice was assessed at pre-intervention and 6 weeks later only. Repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-test were used to make comparisons in knowledge and practice scores, respectively, using SPSS (V.22).ResultsTraining provided to pregnant women resulted in a significant increase on the mean scores of their knowledge from 29.01/47 (SE=0.35) pre-intervention to 42.73/47 (SE=0.24) immediate post-intervention. However, the score declined significantly from immediate after intervention to 6-week follow-up by 1.79 (SE=0.22). Although the score declined, knowledge at 6-week follow-up was still significantly greater than that of pre-intervention (p<0.0001). Health professionals (70.2%) were the primary source of information for pregnant women. The pregnancy-specific dietary practice score at 6-week follow-up (M=13.13/16, SE=0.09) was significantly higher than that of pre-intervention (M=12.55/16, SE=0.16). There was no significant interaction between the categories of demographic characteristics and change in practice and knowledge.ConclusionThis study has shown that the nutrition messages given to pregnant women by trained health professionals using a holistic approach in a sustained manner played a huge role in increasing their knowledge and in introducing positive dietary practices among them. Thus, ANC clinics must play a leading role in coordinating the effort of awareness creation regarding nutrition during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Does smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improve household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Nantui Mabe ◽  
Eliasu Mumuni ◽  
Nashiru Sulemana
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Endogenous Switching Regression ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Household Food

Abstract Background Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims at ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Whilst some smallholder farmers are aware of this goal, others are not. The question that arises is whether or not awareness translates into food security. Therefore, this study assessed whether or not smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improves household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods The study used cross-sectional primary data collected from two districts and two municipalities in the region. An endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome was used to estimate the effects of smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 on household food insecurity level. Results The age of household head, distance of households to the regional capital, membership of farmer-based organizations, access to e-extension, education, and ownership of radio are the key drivers of farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2. The results from the endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome showed that households who are aware of the second goal are more food secure than their counterparts. Conclusions It is therefore prudent for stakeholders promoting and championing Sustainable Development Goals to educate farmers on goal 2 as their awareness of the goal is critical to achieving food security.

scholarly journals A six-week healthy eating intervention with family engagement improves food knowledge and preferences but not dietary diversity among urban preschool children in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Fathima Sirasa ◽  
Lana Mitchell ◽  
Aslan Azhar ◽  
Anoma Chandrasekara ◽  
Neil Harris
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Family Engagement ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention (MCI) on children’s dietary diversity and its impact pathway components of children’s food knowledge and healthy food preferences. Design: A six-week cluster randomised controlled trial with a MCI consisting of child nutrition education plus family engagement, through parental nutrition education, meal preparation and tasting was compared with two groups: single component intervention (SCI) of child nutrition education, and control, conducted during February to July 2018. Preschool centres were randomly assigned to one of the three arms. Children’s food knowledge, healthy food preferences and dietary diversity scores were collected. Intervention effects were analysed using a pre-post analysis and a difference-in-difference model. Setting: Fourteen preschool centres in an urban area of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka Participants: Child-parent dyads of children aged 4-6 years. Final analyses included 306 (for food knowledge and preferences) and 258 (for dietary diversity) dyads. Results: MCI significantly influenced the impact pathways to children’s dietary diversity by increasing children’s food knowledge and healthy food preferences scores by 3.76 and 2.79 (P<0.001) respectively, but not the dietary diversity score (P=0.603), compared to control arm. Relative to SCI, MCI significantly improved children’s food knowledge score by 1.10 (P<0.001), but no significant effects were noted for other outcome variables. Conclusion: Improved food knowledge and preferences require a positive food environment and time to develop into healthy eating behaviours. Research into dietary diversity should broaden to incorporate the contextual roles of the home and general food environments to more completely understand food choices of children.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document