Community-based Nutrition Research Articles

COMmunity-Based Nutrition RISK Screening in Older Adults Living Independently (COMRISK): Feasibility, Acceptability, and Appropriateness of Community Partnership Models in Alberta, Canada.

This feasibility study of routine nutrition risk screening in community-dwelling older adults using a partnership between health care and community-based organizations (CBO) aimed to (1) evaluate the ability of community-based partnerships to provide screening for nutrition risk, and appropriately refer at-risk individuals for follow-up care and (2) determine the barriers to and facilitators of screening. Adults 65 years of age and older were screened by staff in two primary care and one CBO setting using the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN)-8 nutrition risk screening tool. Screeners, organization administrators, and registered dietitians responded to surveys regarding SCREEN-8 administration, referral processes, and partnership interactions. All found the SCREEN-8 initiative feasible, acceptable, and appropriate. Sustainability requires strengthening of community resources, referral processes, and telephone assessments. The partnership added value despite limitations in communications. We conclude that broader implementation of this program using community-based partnerships has the potential to aid in the prevention of malnutrition in older adults.

The influence of education by using 5J pregnancy nutrition guidebook for the prevention of fetal growth restriction and maternal nutritional sufficiency

Background: Stunting is a growth and development disorder experienced by children due to poor nutrition, recurring infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. If not addressed with proper nutrition, it can lead to reduced child growth. According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, stunting is influenced by several factors, including maternal, infant, and toddler factors, as well as social, economic, and environmental conditions. According to Global Nutrition, by 2025, it is estimated that children aged ≤ 5 years will experience stunting, with an increase of 171-314 million individuals worldwide, with 90% originating from countries in Africa and Asia. The province of Lampung has shown improvement, with a stunting prevalence of 15.2% in 2022, aiming to reach the national target of around 14%. Based on nutritional status monitoring in 2017, the prevalence of stunting was 35.20%, and according to the Indonesia Nutrition Status Study (INSS) and Community-Based Nutrition Recording and Reporting (CBNRP), the prevalence of stunting in Pesawaran in 2022 was 3.50%.Purpose: To determine the impact of using the 5J Pregnancy Nutrition Guidebook in educating pregnant mothers about preventing fetal growth restriction on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of mothers in the working area of Gedong Tataan Community Health Center, Pesawaran, Lampung.Method: This quantitative research employed an analytical survey design with a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest method. The dependent variables in this study were the level of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of mothers, while the independent variable was education using the 5J guidebook. The research was conducted in the Gedong Tataan Community Health Center, Pesawaran, Lampung in August 2023 with a sample size of 30 using total sampling technique, and a paired sample t-test was performed.Results: Knowledge improved by 2.37 points after receiving education, with an increase difference of 1.24, and the Wilcoxon statistical test yielded a p-value of 0.000 (<0.05). Respondents' attitudes increased by 1.93 points after receiving education, although this value was in the low range, it saw a rise with a difference of 0.9, and the p-value was 0.000 (<0.05). Behavior after receiving education increased to 1.23 with an increase difference of 0.2, and the Wilcoxon statistical test showed an improvement with a p-value of 0.000 (<0.05). The test results indicate the influence of education using the 5J guidebook on maternal knowledge, attitude, and behavior.Conclusion: Educational media using the 5J guidebook has a significant influence on maternal knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding nutrition management in the prevention of stunting.

Effect of community based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude and compliance to IFA supplementation among pregnant women in rural areas of southwest Ethiopia: a quasi experimental study

BackgroundCompliance with the iron folic acid supplementation is low and not at the required level to prevent anaemia during pregnancy in many countries, including Ethiopia, even though an iron-folic acid supplementation program is being implemented. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of community-based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude, and compliance to IFA supplementation in Ilu Aba Bor zone of southwest Ethiopia.MethodA pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study design consisting of intervention and control group was conducted among pregnant women. The total sample size of 472, therefore, 236 pregnant women for each interventional and control group from 16 kebeles were randomly selected in two districts. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Then, individual study units were selected using a simple random sampling technique and followed until the end of the study period. Effect of community-based nutritional education on knowledge, attitude, and compliance to IFA supplementation among pregnant women in rural areas were measured.ResultsA total of 472 pregnant women participated in the study during the baseline and 437 (92.6%) were in the study until the end. The majority (49.2%) of respondents were 21–25 years of age, with a mean age of 23.4 (SD = 3.7) years. Community-based nutrition has resulted in a statistically significant increase in levels of maternal knowledge of IFAS by 15.2% in the intervention group compared to 5.1% in the control group. Similarly, the intervention group had odds of developing a positive attitude toward IFA 5.6 (4.01, 7.85) times higher than the control group. Moreover, in this study, the odds of compliance towards IFA supplementation were 3.9 (2.67, 5.57) times higher among those who received nutrition education than those women who did not.ConclusionThis study revealed that community-based nutritional education can result in a significant change in knowledge, attitude, and compliance towards IFA supplementation and supports the literature suggesting the importance of the intervention to overcome the problem of poor compliance and its associated consequences.

Examining the Triple Burden of Malnutrition: Insights from a Community-Based Comprehensive Nutrition Survey among Indigenous Tribal Children (0-19 Years) in the Western Ghats Hills of India.

This article presents findings from a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Attappadi, Kerala, India, aimed at assessing the prevalence of the triple burden of malnutrition among indigenous children aged 0-19 years. Historically, the indigenous population in Attappadi has faced significant developmental challenges, including high rates of malnutrition, infant mortality, and neonatal mortality. This study revealed alarming rates of undernutrition among children aged 0-59 months, with 40.9% experiencing stunting, 27.4% wasting, and 48.3% being underweight. Adolescent girls also suffered from undernutrition, with 21% classified as underweight and 43.3% experiencing stunting. Surprisingly, overweight or obesity was identified as a nutritional problem, affecting 1.4% of children aged 0-59 months, 4.2% of children aged 5-9 years, and 10.5% of adolescent girls. Additionally, a distressing proportion of young children aged 12-59 months (91.2%) were anaemic, with 50% diagnosed specifically with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Nearly all adolescent girls (96.6%) were reportedly suffering from anaemia. Deficiencies in vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, and vitamin-A were prevalent among 35%, 20%, 16%, and 12% of children aged 12-59 months, respectively. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address this triple burden of malnutrition. Recommendations include promoting culturally appropriate local food-based solutions, establishing participatory and community-led systems for health and nutrition information dissemination, and strengthening the nutrition surveillance system through village-level health and nutrition workers. By adopting a holistic approach, these interventions can help improve the nutritional status and well-being of the indigenous tribal children in Attappadi.

Influence of care group participation on infant and young child feeding, dietary diversity, WASH behaviours and nutrition outcomes in rural Zimbabwe

BackgroundThe care group approach (CGA) is a community-based nutrition behaviour change strategy centred on ‘peer-to-peer learning’ through women support groups.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the CGA on the adoption of...

Harnessing education and lifestyle change to support transitional health for returning citizens: a feasibility study protocol

BackgroundExercise and healthy eating are known to reduce chronic disease risk; however, formerly incarcerated individuals (i.e., returning citizens) face significant social barriers when attempting to engage with existing community-based physical activity and nutrition programs. Given the high disease burden and unique educational needs of returning citizens, this proposed work fills an important gap in the support services currently offered to this population.MethodsThis article describes a process for evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity and nutrition intervention tailored to the needs of returning citizens via a partnership between an academic research organization and a community-based reentry program for returning citizens. Staff from the community-based reentry program will train four returning citizens as group fitness instructors and work with a nutritionist to design a 16-week nutrition education curriculum. Reentry program staff will enroll up to 15 formerly incarcerated adults (aged 18 +) in the exercise and nutrition program. Participants will take part in weekly nutrition classes led by the nutritionist and weekly group exercise classes led by a peer instructor. Research staff will evaluate program success in four domains: reach, preliminary effectiveness, implementation, and maintenance.ResultsThis feasibility study will allow us to design and test a program that can eventually be evaluated in a large, randomized trial. It also addresses the multitude of social determinants that impact the health of returning citizens and builds a framework for program sustainability. Individuals recruited as fitness trainers will acquire skills and certifications that may be used to sustain physical fitness activities within the reentry program.ConclusionsThis feasibility study will test our ability to address social determinants that impact the health of returning citizens through a peer-led physical activity and nutrition programming. In the long term, study results may inform development and implementation of reentry programming and policy on a wider scale.

A process evaluation of a health promotion intervention to increase breakfast consumption in children.

This study, part of a community-based nutrition study, aimed to understand the participating experiences of a one-month health promotion intervention in children and parents. The intervention aimed at prompting breakfast consumption amongst children. The specific intervention strategies consisted of mobile text messaging relating to how to cook nutritious and fast breakfast, breakfast-related cartoons provided for children, and group information sessions relating to breakfast consumption for parents. This study, a process evaluation, conducted 30 individual semi-structured interviews. Text messaging may be a feasible delivery modality to promote breakfast consumption in children. The extensive contact intensity or amount of intervention strategies may have an adverse impact on prompting breakfast consumption. Disease- and risk-related educational content has the potential to promote breakfast consumption in children. Text messaging shows promise in increasing breakfast consumption in children, with careful design of contact intensity of educational intervention strategies warranted in the intervention planning process. Content related to the side-effects of breakfast skipping has the potential to promote breakfast consumption in children. However, future research is required to fully understand the quality and effectiveness of these intervention strategies, employing quantitative methodologies.

Service-Learning Through Community-Based Nutrition Teaching Equips Medical Students With Sustained Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Habits

Introduction Nutrition education and counseling are critical to patient health. Primary care physicians are positioned to provide this counseling; however, due to a lack of nutrition education, many physicians-in-training lack these skills. This study evaluates the knowledge and self-efficacy of Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of University of Southern California (USC) Primary Care Program (PCP) medical students after leading community-based nutrition classes. Methods First-year PCP KSOM students completed a survey immediately after teaching nutrition classes (Phase I: Spring 2017-Spring 2020) and 1-4 years after teaching (Phase II: August 2021). Open-ended responses were coded thematically, and descriptive data were analyzed in Qualtrics. Results There were 93 phase I respondents; however, not everyone answered every question. Among 45 question respondents, students reported learning about macronutrients (29%), portion sizes (16%), glycemic index (15%), and metabolic syndrome (12%). Among 57 question respondents, 49% reported having knowledge to now counsel patients about nutrition. There were 60 phase II respondents. Students reported sustained, increased nutrition knowledge (88%) and confidence (85%) from baseline, and making healthy personal dietary changes. Discussion It is important for physicians-in-training to gain nutrition education early in their career. This training can benefit student knowledge, behavior change, confidence, and their future patients through counseling.

Nutritional status and growth of children and adolescents with and without cerebral palsy in eastern Uganda: A longitudinal comparative analysis.

There is a need to understand the growth and burden of malnutrition in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to design appropriate inclusive nutrition strategies. We compared the nutritional status and four-year longitudinal growth of a population-based cohort of children and adolescents (C&A) with CP (n = 97; 2-17 years; 55/42 M/F), and an age and sex matched group without CP (n = 91; 2-17y; 50/41 M/F) in rural Uganda. The cohorts were assessed in 2015 and 2019 for weight, height, social demographic characteristics, and feeding related factors. Nutritional status was determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) Z-scores. Wilcoxon sign rank and Mann-Whitney tests were used to test within and between group differences. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine predictors of the change in growth. Approximately two thirds (62/97 (64%)) of C&A with CP were malnourished (with <-2SD in any of the WHO Z-scores), especially those with feeding difficulties (OR = 2.65; P = 0.032), and those who needed to be fed (OR = 3.8; P = 0.019). Both the CP and non-CP groups deviated negatively from the WHO reference growth curve for height, with a significantly slower growth in the CP group (median change score of height-for-age Z score (HAZ) between assessments = -0.80(-1.56, 0.31), p<0.01), than the non-CP group (median HAZ change score = -0.27(-0.92,0.34, p = 0.034). There was a statistically significant group difference in the median HAZ change score between the CP and non-CP groups (z = -2.21, p = 0.026). Severity of motor impairment measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-level) correlated negatively (r = -1.37,95%CI -2.67, -0.08) with the change in HAZ scores among the CP group. Children and adolescents with severe motor impairments exhibit an increased risk of malnutrition and growth retardation compared to their age matched peers without CP, which underscores the need to develop inclusive community-based nutrition strategies for children with cerebral palsy.

Magnitude and predictors of anemia among preschool children (36-59 months) in Atingo town, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Anemia is a serious public health concern that affects more than 25% of the world's population. It is still widespread and at its most severe in Ethiopia. This study pointed to identify the magnitude and predictors of anemia in preschool children in Atinago. A structured interview and anthropometric metrics had been used in a cross-sectional study to collect data from 309 preschool children using a systematic sampling strategy from May 10 to June 25, 2022. Frequencies, percentages, means, and a bar chart were created as descriptive statistics. Factors that were significant at the 25% level in univariate analysis were run through multiple logistic models. Odds ratios with respective 95% confidence intervals were developed to determine the relevant predictors. The majority (51.7%) of preschool children in Atinago town had anemia. The finding reveals that poor dietary diversity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-3.07), children from families with food insecurity (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.31-3.9), child-mothers used iron folate for less than 3 months during pregnancy (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.07-3.48), households with more than five children (AOR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.12-3.18), and stunted children (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.05-3.01) were highly susceptible to anemia. The findings indicate that anemia was a serious issue among preschool children in Atinago. Therefore, stakeholders should provide community-based nutrition training on consuming diverse diets, dietary improvements in the home, consuming iron-rich meals, and the like; encourage mothers to participate in early ANC follow-up; and strengthen activities aimed at identifying households with food insecurity status.

Nutritional composition of some wild edible plants consumed in Southwest Ethiopia

Wild Edible Plants (WEPs), namely Chaw (Solanum nigrum L.), Shutamodoroy (Vigna membranacea A. Rich), Entut (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.), Gagut (Trilepisium madagascariense D.C.), and Tikawoch (Cleome gynandra L.), are naturally grown WEPs and are consumed by the Meinit cultural community in the Bench Maji zone of southwest Ethiopia. However, their nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of these WEPs have not been documented. In this regard, the proximate, mineral and anti-nutrient contents of the edible portions of these WEPs were analyzed using standard food analysis methods. The nutritional analysis revealed that the WEPs contain valuable nutrients in the following ranges: protein (4.0–21.7%), fat (0.7–6.1%), fiber (8.9–22.3%), carbohydrates (38.1–83%) and energy (275–371.1 kcal/100 g). These WEPs were also rich in macro and micro minerals such as calcium (3.7–594.8 mg/100 g), potassium (440.6–1487.8 mg/100 g), sodium (174.9–277.4 mg/100 g), magnesium (68.2–588.1 mg/100 g), iron (0.8–38.5 mg/100 g), zinc (2.4–5.9 mg/100 g) and copper (0.1–0.5 mg/100 g). The phytate, condensed tannin, and oxalate content of WEPs varied from 8.6 to 307.3 mg/100 g, 5.8–329.0 mg/100 g, and 43.7–443.9 mg/100 g, respectively. The result indicated that these WEPs are rich sources of nutrients that could help combat nutrient deficiencies, particularly in rural communities. The results of this study can be used as baseline information for the nutraceuticals industry and community-based nutrition practitioners.

Education Intervention Has the Potential to Improve Short-Term Dietary Pattern among Older Adults with Undernutrition.

Low-cost educational interventions to improve dietary pattern is a pragmatic solution to prevent undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries. A prospective nutritional education intervention was conducted among older adults aged 60 years or above with undernutrition with 60 people in each intervention and control group. The objective was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a community-based nutrition education intervention to improve the dietary pattern of older adults with undernutrition in Sri Lanka. The intervention consisted of two modules to improve the diversity, the variety of diet, and the serving sizes of food consumed. The primary outcome was the improvement of the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and the secondary outcomes were the Food Variety Score and Dietary Serving Score, which was assessed using the 24 h dietary recall. The mean difference in scores between the two groups was compared using the independent sample t-test at baseline, two weeks and three months post-intervention. Baseline characteristics were comparable. After two weeks, only the difference in DDS between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.002). However, this was not sustained at three months (p = 0.08). This study concludes that nutrition education interventions have the potential for short-term improvement in dietary patterns in older adults in a Sri Lanka setting.

Effect of enhanced nutrition services with community-based nutrition services on the diet quality of young children in Ethiopia.

Poor diet quality related to inadequate complementary feeding is a major public health problem in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. Low dietary diversity has been linked to negative health outcomes in children. To provide a package of interventions to close nutritional gaps through agriculture, the Sustainable Undernutrition Reduction in Ethiopia (SURE) programme was set up as a multi-sectoral initiative and the results of combined effects of community-based and enhanced nutrition services, compared to community-based alone, on diet diversity and diet quality of complementary feeding of young children are presented. The study used pre- and post-intervention design. Baseline (n = 4980) data were collected from May to July 2016, and follow-up (n = 2419) data from December 2020 to January 2021. From 51 intervention districts having the SURE programme, 36 intervention districts were randomly selected for baseline and 31 for the follow-up survey. The primary outcome was diet quality: minimumdietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Comparing endline to baseline over the 4.5-year intervention, the use of standard community-based nutrition services of growth monitoring and promotion increased (16%-46%), as did enhanced nutrition services of infant and young child feeding counselling, and agricultural advising (62%-77%). Women involved in home gardening significantly increased (73%-93%); however, household production of food decreased yet consumption of most own-grown foods increased. Importantly, MAD and MDD increased four-fold. TheSURE intervention programme was associated with improvements in complementary feeding and diet quality through enhanced nutrition services. This suggests programmes targeted at nutrition-sensitive practices can improve child feeding in young children.

The effectiveness of integrated community-based nutrition interventions in improving infant and young child feeding practices in Palestine: a randomized control trial

The effectiveness of integrated community-based nutrition interventions in improving infant and young child feeding practices in Palestine: a randomized control trial

Women empowerment through involvement in community-based health and nutrition interventions: Evidence from a qualitative study in India.

Women's empowerment is fundamental for realizing unalienable human rights and is vital to sustainable development outcomes. In India, the SWABHIMAAN intervention program was an integrated multi-sectoral strategy to improve girls' and women's nutrition before conception, during pregnancy, and after childbirth. This study assesses the role of self-help-group (SHGs) in improving the effectiveness of community health interventions and its impact on their self-empowerment. Qualitative data gathered through in-depth interviews (IDI) with community-based SHG members involved as Nutrition Friend (Poshan Sakhi-PS) in the SWABHIMAAN program in 2018 was used for analysis. Informed consent procedures were followed, and only those who voluntarily consented to the interview were interviewed. Twenty-five IDIs of purposively selected PSs in three states (Bihar, n = 9; Chhattisgarh, n = 8; and Odisha, n = 8) were analyzed thematically, according to Braun & Clarke (2006). NVivo 12 software was used for organizing and coding data. Three central themes that emerged to explain women's empowerment were (1) Barriers & redressal mechanisms adopted by PS, (2) PS as a change-maker, and (3) Changes in the life of PS. The study found that women perceive themselves as more empowered through involvement in the SWABHIMAN intervention program, besides improving the community's and their households' nutritional status. The results suggest that policies and programs on health and nutrition interventions need to involve peer women from the community, leading to more effective outcomes. Empowering women and closing gender gaps in employment/work are critical to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving a healthy home food environment: perspectives on parents' nutrition education needs when living with food insecurity.

The familial food environment is influenced by many factors, including food insecurity, food accessibility, and foods accepted by the family. These factors can facilitate or hinder caregivers' ability to support a healthy home food environment. The aim of this research was to explore the barriers to, perspectives on, and nutrition education needs identified by food-insecure parents which would then inform a community-based nutrition education program. A qualitative study used focus group data that were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach to categorize the emerging themes. Emergent themes: (1) Cooking confidence deficit; (2) Healthy meal preparation barriers; (3) Healthy meal acceptance barriers; (4) Meal planning, management, and adaptability. These themes suggest that supporting a healthy home food environment is connected to both food knowledge and competencies, known as food literacy. Food literacy competency should be assessed before nutrition education program implementation within community settings.

The Opportunity for Quality Malnutrition Care to Improve Rural Health Outcomes and Health Equity for Older Americans

Older adults have a heightened risk of malnutrition that occurs with age. Many factors can increase their risk for malnutrition, including factors associated with disease, function, social and mental health, and hunger and food insecurity. Risk for malnutrition is also linked to disparities and may disproportionately impact people living in rural areas. This Perspective paper outlines the issue of malnutrition and its impact on health outcomes and health disparities as well as summarizes existing evidence on malnutrition in rural healthcare institutions. Further it describes opportunities for malnutrition quality improvement and a new malnutrition quality measure, the Global Malnutrition Composite Score measure, that has recently been recommended by the National Quality Forum as a health equity measure for rural healthcare. The Perspective also suggests how this measure may help meet new health equity requirements of the Joint Commission and may help address needs identified in non-profit hospital community health needs assessments. The Perspective identifies resources for malnutrition quality improvement and the Composite measure, and shares key learnings from McPherson Hospital, a rural institution that has worked to improve malnutrition quality care. Finally, the Perspective suggests opportunities for rural healthcare institutions to better connect with community-based nutrition programs/services and recommends where more program development and policy support is still needed.

Fathers’ involvement in complementary feeding of children in Damot Woyde District, South Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn infant and young child feeding practice parents are the primary agents for childcare activities, such as feeding. Mothers’ role in infant and young child feeding practice has been the focus of previous research. The involvement of fathers in child-feeding practice has rarely been studied. Thus, this study aimed to assess fathers’ involvement in the complementary feeding of children and identify factors associated with it in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted which included a survey, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The survey was conducted with 593 fathers who have at least one child of age 6-23 months. Four FGDs were conducted with fathers, and 21 in-depth interviews were conducted with fathers, mothers, and community health workers. The survey data were entered into Epi data software version 1.4.4.0 and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed and statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. All interviews and FGDs were transcribed, coded, categorized, and analyzed using open code software version 4.0.2.ResultsOf the total sample of 593, 50.9% of the fathers in the study were involved in their children’s complementary feeding practices. Fathers with better household income (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.22) and good perception of child complementary feeding practice (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.52) were more likely to be involved in their children’s complementary feeding practice. The majority of the fathers had better knowledge about the recommended complementary feeding practices.ConclusionsIncome-generating activities and behavioral change communication for fathers should be encouraged to improve their involvement in child feeding. Community-based nutrition programs should also give due attention to increasing the involvement of fathers.

Nutritional practices of the preschool-aged children and associated factors: A cross-sectional study in Rupandehi district of Nepal

Undernutrition is a common problem among Nepali preschool-aged children. Every parent’s feeding practice should be focused on preventing unhealthy eating behaviors of preschool-aged children as it is very difficult to change it in their later life. This study was carried out to assess the key nutritional practices and associated factors among the 3-5-year-old preschool-aged children from their primary caregivers/mothers by employing a quantitative research method. Data were collected through scheduled interviews and observations from mothers/primary caregivers of 394 preschool-aged children who were selected through a multi-stage random sampling procedure in Rupandehi District of Nepal. Binary logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of nutritional practices of preschool-aged children. A p-value less than 0.05 is considered statistical significance. Economic statuses including caste/ethnicity were the main socio-economic and demographic variables to determine the nutritional practices of the preschool-aged children. Findings of the study indicated that majority of preschool-aged children were found in low-level nutritional practices. The preschoolaged children from marginal economic status, including disadvantage-cohorts of the Terai and Dalit, were the victims of the poor nutritional practices. Hence, community-based nutrition education intervention and mothers/caregivers’ awareness programs on feeding practices may be an incredible effort to improve the nutritional status of preschool-aged children if the program is intervened by targeting the background characteristics of the community group.

Effect of a community-based nutrition intervention program about dietary immunonutrients during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The global agitation caused by the coronavirus disease of 2019 has emerged the need to make today’s population more aware of immune health to protect against disease and illness. Thus, we conducted a community-based nutrition intervention program that puts forward immunonutrition in the limelight.Objectives: To study the effects of a community-based nutrition intervention program on (a) the significance of immunonutrients, (b) its rich sources and (c) its role to boost immunity against viral infections and diseases among a local community in Chennai city.Material and Methods: This study used the pretest-posttest design consisting of pre-and post-survey conducted from 400 active participants selected by the random sampling method. Pretest and posttest involved the assessment tools like the 4-point Likert scale and 7-item food frequency questionnaire. The employed intervention strategies include the distribution of informative pamphlets and offering individual nutrition counselling that highlights the benefits of consuming immunonutrients- rich foods. Results: The mean pretest score based on the perception of participants on the importance of immunonutrients was 2.022±0.856. Significant associations between age, education level, and socioeconomic status with the perception levels of the participants were observed (P&lt;0.001). A mean difference of 1.1200±0.0603 was observed when compared with the posttest responses conducted three months after the intervention, showing a significant increase in their perception level (P&lt;0.001). Additionally, the consumption of immunonutrients rich foods studied using the 7-item food frequency questionnaire, also increased.Conclusions: Our intervention program was found remarkably effective for improving the awareness and consumption level of locally available, cost-effective immune-boosting foods among the participants and their intention toward healthy eating behaviour. Thus, a community-based nutrition intervention program would help upgrade awareness about the synergism of nutrition, immunity, and infection.