An Integrated Child Nutrition Intervention Improved Growth of Younger, more Malnourished Children in Northern Viet Nam

Empowerment is often cited as a fundamental component of health promotion strategies. Anecdotes suggest that Save the Children's integrated nutrition project empowers local women and health volunteers. The aim of this research was to document the degree to which this is being accomplished. Using qualitative methodologies, we conducted a cross-sectional assessment to compare self-reported changes in identified empowerment domains among 17 program health volunteers and 20 mothers involved in a child nutrition intervention and among five Women's Union leaders and five mothers in a non-intervention comparison commune. Intervention mothers reported increased knowledge, confidence, and information sharing about child-care and feeding, while non-intervention mothers reported minimal changes in these domains. Both intervention health volunteers and non-intervention Women's Union leaders expressed improvements in knowledge, confidence, and relationships with community members. In this study we found that the relative increases in empowerment were greater for mothers than for health volunteers. Intervention mothers reported more sharing of information on child relationships with community members than Women's Union leaders. The increased information sharing has positive implications for spread of key messages to families that did not directly participate in intensive feeding and the sustainability of the intervention's impact. Future research should focus on developing culturally specific concepts of empowerment to better understand the effects of empowerment efforts. This study's identification of empowerment domains will inform future empowerment studies in Vietnam.

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An Integrated Child Nutrition Intervention Improved Growth of Younger, More Malnourished Children in Northern Viet Nam

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/15648265020234s208 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 23 (4_suppl2) ◽

pp. 50-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Dirk G. Schroeder ◽

Helena Pachón ◽

Kirk A. Dearden ◽

Tran Thu Ha ◽

Tran Thi Lang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Z Score ◽

Nutrition Program ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Nutrition Programs ◽

Measured Weight ◽

Save The Children ◽

The Impact

Integrated nutrition programs are widely used to prevent and/or reverse childhood malnutrition, but rarely rigorously evaluated. The impact of such a program on the physical growth of young rural Vietnamese children was measured. We randomized six communes to receive an integrated nutrition program implemented by Save the Children. We matched six communes to serve as controls. Our sample consisted of 238 children ( n = 119 per group) who were 5 to 30 months old on entry. Between December 1999 and December 2000, we measured weight and height monthly for six months and again at month 12. Principle outcomes were weight-for-age Z score (WAZ), height-for-age Z score (HAZ), and weight-for-height Z score (WHZ), and the changes among these measures. As expected, anthropometric indicators relative to international references worsened as the children aged. Overall, children in the intervention communes who were exposed to the integrated nutrition program did not show statistically significant better growth than comparison children. Intervention children who were younger (15 months or less) and more malnourished (less than −2 Z) at baseline, however, deteriorated significantly less than their comparable counterparts. Between baseline and month four, for example, intervention children who were malnourished and less than 15 months old at entry lost on average 0.05 WAZ while similar comparison children lost 0.25 WAZ ( p = .02). Lack of overall impact on growth may be due to a lower than expected prevalence of malnutrition at baseline and/or deworming of comparison children. Targeting nutrition interventions at very young children will have the maximum impact on growth.

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Regional overview of maternal and child malnutrition: trends, interventions and outcomes

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal ◽

10.26719/2004.10.6.731 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 731-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Djazayery

Keyword(s):

Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Severe Malnutrition ◽

Maternal And Child Nutrition ◽

Salt Iodization ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Low Weight ◽

Control Programmes ◽

Available Information

The proportions of underweight, wasted, and stunted children, as well as the infant and under-5 mortality rates, have all exhibited downward trends in the Region over the past 2 decades. This is in part attributable to maternal and child nutrition intervention programmes, especially those in which women were actively involved. Programmes which support and promote breastfeeding, such as the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, have also contributed to this trend, although the number of baby friendly hospitals varies considerably between countries. Available information also shows that anemia is quite common among women, many of whom also have a low weight and stature and seem to suffer from osteoporosis. In several countries of the Region a number of micronutrient deficiency control programmes are in progress, such as iron supplementation for pregnant women, fortification of flour and iodization of salt. Iodine deficiency disorders are under control in 2 countries of the Region and legislation for salt iodization is in place in 17 countries. Prevalence of severe malnutrition in children is much lower than that of milder levels, thus, promotion of the nutrition status of mildly to moderately malnourished children could lead to a sizeable reduction in child mortality

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Effect of an Integrated Child Nutrition Intervention on the Complementary Food Intake of Young Children in Rural North Viet Nam

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/15648265020234s109 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 23 (4_suppl_1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Helena Pachón ◽

Dirk G. Schroeder ◽

David R. Marsh ◽

Kirk A. Dearden ◽

Tran Thu Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Young Children ◽

Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Complementary Food ◽

Viet Nam

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Comparison of Conditional and Marginal Models in Assessing a Child Nutrition Intervention in Armenia

Maternal and Child Health Journal ◽

10.1007/s10995-021-03308-y ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Arin A. Balalian ◽

Sharon Daniel ◽

Hambardzum Simonyan ◽

Vahe Khachadourian

Keyword(s):

Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Marginal Models

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Desnutrição infantil: experiência em uma comunidade rural

Enfermagem em Foco ◽

10.21675/2357-707x.2011.v2.n3.128 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 171-174

Author(s):

Mirna Albuquerque Frota ◽

Luciana Vilas Boas Polte ◽

Ana Tereza Sá Nogueira ◽

Ivna Silva Andrade

Keyword(s):

Child Nutrition ◽

Rural Families ◽

Family Health ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Child Malnutrition ◽

Related Factors ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Nutrition Disorders ◽

Cultural Care ◽

The Subject

Objetivou-se retratar a desnutrição em menores de 6 anos nas famílias rurais, assim como investigar fatores relacionados. Estudo exploratório descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, realizado na comunidade do Sussuí, localizada em Quixadá, CE, com quatro famílias de crianças desnutridas, utilizando a observação nas visitas domiciliares e entrevista semiestruturada. Realizou-se análise de conteúdo, resultando nas categorias: Conhecendo a Desnutrição Infantil, Prejuízos da Doença na Família e Cuidado Cultural. Concluiu-se que a desnutrição infantil é assunto abordado de forma frequente, mas com pouca resolutividade, observando-se índices elevados da doença devido à ausência de funcionalidade das políticas públicas, capazes de promover a saúde dos indivíduos.Descritores: Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil, Família, Promoção da Saúde.Child malnutrition: experience in a rural communityThe aim of this work was to portray the malnutrition among children that are less than six years old in rural families as well as to investigate related factors. That is a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out in the community Sussuí, located in Quixadá, CE with four families and their malnourished children, using the observation in the home visits and semi-structured interview. We conducted content analysis, resulting the following categories: Knowing the Child Malnutrition, Disease Losses in Family and Cultural Care. It was concluded that the subject matter child malnutrition is often approached but there is no resolution, observing high rates of disease due to lack of functionality of public policies that promote the health of individuals.Descriptors: Child Nutrition Disorders, Family, Health Promotion.La desnutrición infantil: experiencia en una comunidad ruralEl objetivo era retratar la desnutrición en niños menores de seis años en los hogares rurales, así como investigar los factores relacionados. Estudio exploratorio descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo, realizado en La comunidad Sussuí, ubicada en Quixadá, CE con cuatro famílias con niños desnutridos, con la observación en las visitas domiciliarias y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Se realizó un análisis de contenido, lo que resulta en las categorías: Conocer la desnutrición infantil, las pérdidas por enfermedades en la familia y Cuidado Cultural. Se concluyó que la desnutrición infantil es asunto frecuente, pero no hay solución para el problema observándose las altas tasas de enfermedad debido a la falta de funcionalidad de las políticas públicas que promuevan la salud de los individuos.Descriptores: Trastornos de Nutrición Infantil, Familia, Promoción de la Salud.

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Fidelity and acceptability of a family-focused technology-based telehealth nutrition intervention for child weight management

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x19864819 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1357633X1986481 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Li Kheng Chai ◽

Clare E Collins ◽

Chris May ◽

Leanne J Brown ◽

Amy Ashman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Management ◽

Process Evaluation ◽

Child Nutrition ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Text Messages ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Intervention Fidelity ◽

Management Intervention ◽

Evaluation Survey ◽

Weight Management Intervention

Introduction Previous reviews of family-based interventions for childhood obesity treatment found that studies were of low methodological quality with inadequate details reported, especially related to intervention fidelity. The evaluation of fidelity is crucial to inform interpretation of the intervention outcomes. This study aimed to summarise intervention fidelity, participants’ acceptability and satisfaction with a 12-week family-focused technology-based child nutrition and weight management intervention. Methods Families with children aged 4–11 years participated in a telehealth intervention with complementary components: website, Facebook group and text messages. Intervention fidelity was reported using National Institutes of Health Treatment Fidelity Framework. Delivery was measured using a dietitian-reported evaluation survey. Google Analytics and Bitly platform were used to objectively track data on frequency and pattern of intervention use. Participants’ acceptability and satisfaction were measured using a process evaluation survey. Results Telehealth consultations delivered by trained dietitians had good adherence (≥83%) to the structured content. Process evaluation results indicated that parents ( n = 30; mean age 41 years, 97% were female, body mass index 30 kg/m2) found the intervention components easy to use/understand (87–100%), the programme had improved their family/child eating habits (93%), and they wanted to continue using telehealth and the website, as well as recommending it to other parents (90–91%). Discussion In summary, a family-focused technology-based child nutrition and weight management intervention using telehealth, website, Facebook and SMS can be delivered by trained dietitians with good fidelity and attain high acceptability and satisfaction among families with primary-school-aged children in New South Wales, Australia.

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Improving maternal and child nutrition in China: an analysis of nutrition policies and programs initiated during the 2000–2015 Millennium Development Goals era and implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Journal of Health Population and Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s41043-020-00221-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xin Huang ◽

Bo Yang ◽

Qin Liu ◽

Ruilin Zhang ◽

Shenglan Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Program Implementation ◽

Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Chinese Government ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Maternal And Child Nutrition ◽

Nutrition Policies ◽

Development Goals ◽

Policies And Programs

Abstract Background Although good progress was made in maternal and child nutrition during the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era, malnutrition remains one of the major threats on global health. Therefore, the United Nation set several nutrition-related goals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is much to be learned from individual countries in terms of efforts and actions taken to reduce malnutrition. China, as a developing country, launched a number of nutrition improvement policies and programs that resulted in dramatic progress in improving maternal and child nutrition during the MDGs era. This study explored the impact, experiences, and lessons learned from the nutrition policies and programs initiated in China during the MDGs era and implications to achieve the SDGs for China and other developing countries. Method The CNKI database and official websites of Chinese government were searched for reviews on nutrition-related policies and intervention programs. A qualitative study was conducted among key informants from the Chinese government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and universities for two major national nutrition intervention programs. Results The literature review documented that during the MDGs era, six nutrition policies and eight trans-province and nationwide nutrition intervention programs collectively made good progress in improving maternal and child nutrition in China. Nutrition policies tended to be targeted at infants and children, with less attention on reproductive and maternal nutrition. Nutrition intervention programs focused primarily on undernutrition and have achieved positive results, while for breastfeeding improvement and prevention and control on overweight and obesity were limited. Results from the qualitative study indicated that effective nutrition program implementation was facilitated through the cooperation of multiple sectors and by the government and NGO partnerships, however, still face challenges of insufficient operational funds from local governments and inadequacy of program monitoring and management. Conclusion Nutrition policies and intervention programs promulgated in China during the MDGs era have made major contributions to the rapid decline of undernutrition and are in line to achieve the SDGs related to child wasting, stunting, low birth weight, and anemia in reproductive-age women. However, appropriate policies and program implementation are needed to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates and reduce obesity to achieve the SDGs in years to come.

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A Community-Based Positive Deviance/Hearth Infant and Young Child Nutrition Intervention in Ecuador Improved Diet and Reduced Underweight

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.jneb.2016.10.007 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 196-203.e1 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Marion L. Roche ◽

Grace S. Marquis ◽

Theresa W. Gyorkos ◽

Brittany Blouin ◽

Julieta Sarsoza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Child ◽

Child Nutrition ◽

Positive Deviance ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Community Based ◽

Infant And Young Child

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Malnutrition among Children: Some reviews from India, developing and underdeveloped Countries

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal ◽

10.14738/assrj.84.9943 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 65-70

Author(s):

Pratima Pawar

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Child Nutrition ◽

Economic Status ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

The Social ◽

Social And Economic Development ◽

Seeking Behavior

Abstract: Nutrition has major effects on health. Malnutrition refers to any imbalance in satisfying nutrition requirements. Malnutrition is often cited as an important factor contributing to high morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Malnourished children are more likely to grow into malnourished adults who face increased risks of disease and death. A number of factors affect child nutrition, either directly or indirectly. The most commonly cited factors are food availability and dietary intake, breastfeeding, prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases, vitamin A supplementation, maternal care during pregnancy, water supply and sanitation, socio-economic status, and health-seeking behavior. Thus malnutrition is a serious problem which directly or indirectly affects the social and economic development of a nation. The present paper focuses on the scenario of malnutrition based on the reviews in different developing countries including India.

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