Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Clara Mollay, Neema Kassim, Rebecca Stoltzfus, Martin Kimanya
Summary: The importance of appropriate complementary feeding for infants and young children aged 6 to 24 months is highlighted, with a focus on the link between inadequate complementary foods and feeding practices and undernutrition in developing countries like Tanzania. There is also concern about mycotoxin risk, specifically aflatoxin and fumonisin, present in African food systems, particularly maize and groundnuts. Research in a rural district of central Tanzania found that mothers predominantly fed their infants with maize-based porridges complemented with groundnuts, raising concerns about undernutrition and mycotoxin exposure.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Arif, Ashfaq Ahmad Shah
Summary: The study reveals that inadequate complementary feeding practices are prevalent among children aged 6 to 23 months in Pakistan. Factors such as child age, birth weight, mother's access to media, household wealth, and community prenatal visits are significant predictors of complementary feeding practices.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Abhirat Supthanasup, Nisachol Cetthakrikul, Matthew Kelly, Haribondhu Sarma, Cathy Banwell
Summary: Child complementary feeding practices are more likely to meet dietary recommendations among educated, high-income groups. However, in many countries, including Thailand, assessments for child malnutrition need to address both undernutrition and overnutrition. This study identifies the determinants of complementary feeding practices among 6-23-month children in Thailand, finding associations with child age, primary caregivers' education, and household incomes. Older children consume more unhealthy foods, and children living with caregivers other than their mothers have higher rates of inappropriate feeding practices. Maternal education and household income are positively associated with better dietary diversity and acceptable diets, but children from middle-class households consume more sweetened beverages.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Andrea Horvath, Agata Strozyk, Piotr Dziechciarz, Hania Szajewska
Summary: This study in Poland investigated how COVID-19 pandemic restrictions impacted complementary feeding practices among parents of infants aged 4 to 12 months. Results showed that most parents received information from various sources, with other parents, family members, or friends being the most common source. The study found that COVID-19 restrictions did not significantly affect feeding methods or patterns, but may have had an impact on complementary feeding in families with average financial situations.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chessa K. Lutter, Laurence Grummer-Strawn, Lisa Rogers
Summary: Complementary feeding is introduced to complement a milk-based diet between 6 and 23 months of age, a critical period for both physical and cognitive development. It is important to pay attention to nutrient intake, as well as how a child is fed, to help form lifelong eating habits and practices.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Abdulhalik Workicho, Sibhatu Biadgilgn, Meghan Kershaw, Rahel Gizaw, Jennifer Stickland, Wossen Assefa, Cherinet Abuye, Behailu Woldegiorgis, Lioul Berhanu, Eileen Kennedy
Summary: This study assessed the impact of adding a virtual facilitator tool to an enhanced community conversation programme on infant and young child feeding practices in Ethiopia. While statistically non-significant, the intervention group showed positive changes in important nutritional practices.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Getahun Fentaw Mulaw, Kusse Urmale Mare, Etsay Woldu Anbesu
Summary: This study found that nearly one-third of lactating mothers were undernourished, with factors significantly associated with undernutrition among lactating mothers being maternal dietary diversity score and birth interval.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kedir Y. Ahmed, Kingsley Emwinyore Agho, Andrew Page, Amit Arora, Felix Akpojene Ogbo, Kingsley E. Agho
Summary: In Ethiopia, community-level and health facility interventions have shown to improve early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and/or minimum dietary diversity. Combined interventions have greater impact in improving early initiation of breastfeeding, minimum dietary diversity, and minimum meal frequency compared to single interventions.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Theresa Ryckman, Patrick Codjia, Stella Nordhagen, Caroline Arimi, Veronica Kirogo, Laura Kiige, Penjani Kamudoni, Ty Beal
Summary: The study in Kenya found that vitamin A, vitamin B-12, and folate are affordable to most households, while calcium, animal-source protein, zinc, and iron are less affordable. In some provinces, small dried fish are an affordable source of nutrients, but in others, they are not commonly consumed. Future research should focus on interventions to reduce prices, increase availability, and change behaviors related to these foods.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Asnake Ararsa Irenso, Shiferaw Letta, Addisu S. Chemeda, Abiyot Asfaw, Gudina Egata, Nega Assefa, Karen J. Campbell, Rachel Laws
Summary: Cultural acceptability and the supportive HDA structure were identified as key facilitators for the use of ARF, while potential barriers included lack of sustainability in external skill support for HDA leaders, perceived time constraints, unsuitable demonstration settings, cooking methods, and large group size. Additionally, the indigenous community's knowledge of germination has not been utilized to improve complementary foods.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Md. Tariqujjaman, Md. Mehedi Hasan, Mustafa Mahfuz, Muttaquina Hossain, Tahmeed Ahmed
Summary: This study explored the association between mother's education and the World Health Organization's eight Infant and Young Child Feeding core indicators in South Asia. The results showed that mothers with higher education levels had significantly higher odds for most of the indicators, such as early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, introduction of complementary foods, dietary diversity, meal frequency, acceptable diet, and iron-rich food consumption. Strengthening education policies for mothers in South Asian countries could be an effective intervention for improving infant and young child feeding practices.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Elazar Tadesse, Ibrahim Abdirahman, Shiferaw Letta, Miles Kirby, Tigist Mamo, Henok Metaferia, Beryl Oranga, Jessica Leight
Summary: This study examines the consumption of ultra-processed foods by infants and young children in poor rural households in Ethiopia. The findings reveal that these foods are often introduced during complementary feeding and are perceived to be nutritious, convenient, and affordably priced. This pattern of consumption may have negative effects on children's nutrition and increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness due to exposure to unclean water.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Anna Dimitrova
Summary: Climate change poses a serious threat to agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially impacting children's health. Exposure to drought during the main agricultural season in Ethiopia was found to increase the risk of undernutrition among children under five, with impacts varying among different population subgroups. Boys, children born to uneducated mothers, and households engaged in agricultural activities were more likely to be affected, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional interventions for these vulnerable groups.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Giles Hanley-Cook, Alemayehu Argaw, Pradiumna Dahal, Stanley Chitekwe, Patrick Kolsteren
Summary: Suboptimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices have significant implications for child survival, health, growth, and development. Our study found that the majority of age-appropriate IYCF practices and child linear growth outcomes improved over the past two decades in Nepal. However, there is still a need for comprehensive multisectoral nutrition strategies and specific focus on the development of key IYCF practices.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zinash Teferu, Yohannes Tekalegn, Biniyam Sahiledengle, Demisu Zenbaba, Fikreab Desta, Kenbon Seyoum, Habtamu Gezahegn, Damtew Solomon Shiferaw, Ayele Mamo, Vijay Kumar Chattu
Summary: Underweight among lactating mothers in Ethiopia is significantly associated with individual-level factors such as age and toilet facilities, as well as community-level factors such as residence and community poverty. Focusing on these identified factors can improve the issue of underweight among lactating mothers in Ethiopia.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lilia Bliznashka, Joanne E. Arsenault, Elodie Becquey, Marie T. Ruel, Deanna K. Olney
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2020)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jessica Heckert, Jef L. Leroy, Deanna K. Olney, Susan Richter, Elyse Iruhiriye, Marie T. Ruel
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2020)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jef L. Leroy, Deanna K. Olney, Lilia Bliznashka, Marie Ruel
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2020)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Corinna Hawkes, Marie T. Ruel, Leah Salm, Bryony Sinclair, Francesco Branca
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Derek Headey, Rebecca Heidkamp, Saskia Osendarp, Marie Ruel, Nick Scott, Robert Black, Meera Shekar, Howarth Bouis, Augustin Flory, Lawrence Haddad, Neff Walker
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Loty Diop, Elodie Becquey, Zuzanna Turowska, Lieven Huybregts, Marie T. Ruel, Aulo Gelli
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of two standard food group scores and related dichotomous indicators to predict the adequacy of micronutrient intake in rural Burkinabe children and women. The results showed that FGS-10 performed better than FGS-7 in predicting micronutrient adequacy. The MDD-W and MDD-IYC indicators were effective in predicting adequacy in children and nonpregnant nonbreastfeeding women, with a 4-group cutoff for FGS-10 providing a better balance between sensitivity, specificity, and classification accuracy.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jef L. Leroy, Deanna K. Olney, Noe Nduwabike, Marie T. Ruel
Summary: This study assessed the impact of a food-assisted maternal and child health program on child wasting in Burundi. The findings suggest that such programs can protect the most disadvantaged children from wasting in highly food-insecure regions.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fadia AlBuhairan, Koki Agarwal, Narendra Kumar Arora, Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Zulfi Bhutta, Fred Binka, Arachu Castro, Mariam Claeson, Blami Dao, Gary Darmstadt, Trevor Duke, Mike English, Fadi Jardali, Mike Merson, Rashida Abbas Ferrand, Alma Golden, Michael Golden, Caroline Homer, Fyezah Jehan, Caroline Kabiru, Betty Kirkwood, Joy Lawn, Song Li, George Patton, Marie Ruel, Jane Sandall, Harshpal Singh Sachdev, Mark Tomlinson, Peter Waiswa, Dilys Walker, Stanley Zlotkin
Review
Pediatrics
Trevor Duke, Fadia S. AlBuhairan, Koki Agarwal, Narendra K. Arora, Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Fred Binka, Arachu Castro, Mariam Claeson, Blami Dao, Gary L. Darmstadt, Mike English, Fadi Jardali, Michael Merson, Rashida A. Ferrand, Alma Golden, Michael H. Golden, Caroline Homer, Fyezah Jehan, Caroline W. Kabiru, Betty Kirkwood, Joy E. Lawn, Song Li, George C. Patton, Marie Ruel, Jane Sandall, Harshpal Singh Sachdev, Mark Tomlinson, Peter Waiswa, Dilys Walker, Stanley Zlotkin
Summary: Improving knowledge translation in maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition requires support for national and regional technical advisory groups, coordination of maternal and child health initiatives, development and promotion of integrated care guidelines, strategies to enhance guideline uptake, and monitoring of gaps in knowledge translation and operational research.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jef L. Leroy, Bastien Koch, Shalini Roy, Daniel Gilligan, Marie Ruel
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the impacts of social assistance programs on birth outcomes in low- and middle-income countries and found that better-designed evaluations are needed to strengthen the evidence base on these programs. Studies should elucidate underlying mechanisms of impact and assess potential unintended negative consequences of social assistance.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
I. D. Brouwer, M. J. van Liere, A. de Brauw, P. Dominguez-Salas, A. Herforth, G. Kennedy, C. Lachat, E. B. Omosa, E. F. Talsma, S. Vandevijvere, J. Fanzo, M. Ruel
Summary: This paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating a healthy diet perspective in food system transformation, discussing the challenges faced by global food systems and necessary policy reforms to achieve universal access and affordability of healthy diets for all. It proposes a menu of policy options for shifting consumer demand towards healthier diets in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting the need for rigorous food system transformations and policy solutions to support the achievement of healthy diets worldwide.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lilia Bliznashka, Elodie Becquey, Marie T. Ruel, Deanna K. Olney
Summary: This study examined the four-year effects of a two-year nutrition- and gender-sensitive agricultural program on women's outcomes in rural Burkina Faso. The program showed significant positive effects on women's underweight prevalence and knowledge about appropriate age to introduce liquids, both in the short-term (2010-2012) and long-term (2010-2014).
FOOD AND NUTRITION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Derek D. Headey, Marie T. Ruel
Summary: In low and middle income countries, economic shocks and volatility can lead to increased poverty, food insecurity, and child acute malnutrition (wasting). This study examines the impact of economic growth shocks on wasting and finds that a decline in national income is associated with higher prevalence of moderate/severe wasting. Negative economic shocks may increase the risk of inadequate dietary diversity among children. Applying the findings to the current COVID-19 pandemic suggests that millions of preschoolers may face an increased risk of wasting.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Saskia Osendarp, Jonathan Kweku Akuoku, Robert E. Black, Derek Headey, Marie Ruel, Nick Scott, Meera Shekar, Neff Walker, Augustin Flory, Lawrence Haddad, David Laborde, Angela Stegmuller, Milan Thomas, Rebecca Heidkamp
Summary: The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on maternal and child nutrition outcomes in low- and middle-income countries is projected under different scenarios, with a focus on mitigating excess child stunting and mortality through nutrition interventions. The disruptions caused by the pandemic could lead to an increase in wasted and stunted children, along with additional child deaths and maternal anaemia cases. Governments and donors will need to invest additional resources to scale up nutrition interventions and address the potential long-term productivity losses.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Phuong Hong Nguyen, Yves Martin-Prevel, Mourad Moursi, Lan Mai Tran, Purnima Menon, Marie T. Ruel, Mary Arimond
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NUTRITION
(2020)