Community Nutrition Interventions Research Articles

STUNTING PREVENTION WITH CONTENTS OF "ISI PIRINGKU" IN DAGEN HAMLET, POLOKARTO DISTRICT

Background: According to SSGI data (2019-2021), the risk of stunting can manifest before birth and reaches its peak between 6 months (13.8%) and 12 months (27.2%) of age. Community nutrition interventions, particularly during the first thousand days of life, emphasize the consumption of animal protein to expedite the reduction of stunting. In Sukoharjo Regency, based on simultaneous weighing conducted in 2022, the highest prevalence of stunting cases was recorded in Polokarto District at 13.6%. Government initiatives to combat stunting include programs such as "Isi Piringku". Objective: This study aimed to assess the increase in respondents' knowledge through pre-test and post-test evaluations. Method: This activity comprises three stages: pre-test, implementation, and post-test. Questionnaire data obtained will be analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge transfer. Results: Overall, there was a 42.61% increase in knowledgerelated outcomes following the service intervention. The attendance target for service activities was achieved, with 80% participation from all participants. Conclusion: The implementation of the service intervention has provided significant benefits for mothers of toddlers attending Posyandu programs and is anticipated to be sustained in the long term.

Balanced Nutrition in School-Age Children

This community service aims to implement community nutrition intervention activities in overcoming nutritional problems in Pamengkang Village, Kramatwatu District, Serang Regency, Banten Province. This community service activity was carried out by onsite / direct visit to Pamengkang Kramatwatu District, Serang Regency, Banten Province through a process of planning, implementation and evaluation on February 1, 2023. Followed by 30 health cadres, 30 mothers who have babies, and 30 elementary school children consisting of grades 3, 4, 5. Data collection techniques using documentation. The outputs of this activity are in the form of a certificate of Community Service, a report on the Activity "Interprofessional Collaboration for Public Health Handling Stunting in Pamengkang Village, Kramatwatu District, Serang Regency, Banten Province", and Collaborative Publications in the Field of Material (Community Service Articles). The community service activities carried out went well. It can be seen from the enthusiasm of cadres, mothers and children during the activity.

EFEKTIVITAS EDUKASI PENERAPAN PHBS MELALUI PROGRAM SING PENTING BERAKZI DI DESA GLAGAHWERO

Glagahwero Village, Kalisat District, Jember Regency is an area that still has a high stunting rate. The prevalence of stunting in Kalisat ranks second highest in Jember Regency at 85.7%. Therefore, it is necessary to have the SING IMPORTANT BERAKZI program (Synergiscity of Stunting Prevention Efforts through Community Empowerment and Nutrition Intervention) in Glagahwero Village in which there is education on the application of PHBS (Clean and Healthy Behavior). The results of the situation analysis conducted using the interview method found that the majority of residents already have their own latrines at their homes, but they still defecate in the open, namely in the river. Apart from that, handwashing with soap (handwashing with soap) is also rarely practiced. This study aims to analyze the educational effectiveness of implementing PHBS (Clean and Healthy Behavior) which is one of the factors causing stunting. The research was carried out targeting elementary school children and mothers. The results showed that there was an increase between the pre-test and post-test. This proves that education on the implementation of PHBS is effective in preventing stunting in Glagahwero Village, Kalisat.

Dietary Intake Patterns and Lifestyle Behaviors of Pregnant Women Living in a Manitoba First Nations Community: Implications for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

The information on the nutrition status of women at-risk of carrying a child with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is scarce, particularly in the First Nations population living on reserve. This study examined and compared nutrition status, dietary intake, and lifestyle patterns of pregnant at-risk, defined as those who consume alcoholic drink during the current pregnancy, and non-at-risk women living in northern Manitoban community. Thirty-seven pregnant, First Nations women (at-risk n = 15; non-at-risk, n = 22) were recruited to participate in the study. A questionnaire, presented in paper and iPad formats, collected information on participants’ demographics, dietary intake, lifestyle, pregnancy outcomes, and maternal health. A food frequency questionnaire and 24-h recall were used to determine nutrient intake. Nutrient values were assessed using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). At-risk and non-at-risk women were below the Canada Food Guide serving size recommended for Vegetable and Fruit, Grain, and Milk Products with 93%, 92%, and 93% of participants not meeting the recommendations, respectively. Women met the recommendations for vitamins A, B1, B12, C, niacin, choline, as well as calcium, and zinc. Sixty eight percentage (%) of participants did not meet the recommendations for folate and iron, and 97% for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Significant differences were observed between non-at-risk and at-risk women for mean % DRI intakes of vitamin C (313 ± 224 vs. 172 ± 81 mg/day), niacin (281 ± 123 vs. 198 ± 80 mg/day), folate (70 ± 38 vs. 10 ± 22 mcg/day), and iron (101 ± 74 vs. 74 ± 30 mg/day). The findings of this study lay a fundamental premise for the development of community nutrition programs, nutrition education, and nutrition intervention, such as community specific prenatal supplementation. These will assist in ensuring adequate maternal nutrient intake and benefit families and communities in Northern Manitoba with and without alcohol insult.

P011 Exploring How Community Research Partnerships May Affect Enrollment and Graduation Rates for the University of Georgia EFNEP

<h3>Background</h3> Federal nutrition education programs like EFNEP (the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) use a peer educator model to teach low-income Americans about healthy eating behaviors. Collaborative partnerships are an essential means to the sustainability and reach of the EFNEP program. The University of Georgia (UGA) EFNEP has not previously measured the impact community research partnerships may have on enrollment and graduation rates for EFNEP programming. <h3>Objective</h3> To examine how the research process for recruiting, incentives offered, and continued contact with a community research partner affect UGA EFNEP enrollment and graduation rates. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) partnered with UGA Extension/EFNEP to examine how a community nutrition intervention may affect nutrition outcomes of expecting mothers and fathers (Project DINE). UGA EFNEP provided an eight-week virtual nutrition education to three counties (rural and metro-areas). Participants were African American, expecting a baby, and enrolled in Healthy Start. Participants who completed the program received up to $200 per person ($400 per couple) in financial incentives. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Enrollment, participation and graduation rates data were analyzed using the USDA NIFA Web-based Nutrition Education, Evaluation and Reporting System (WebNEERS). Study participants' data were analyzed and compared to data for EFNEP participants in similar communities who were not enrolled in any research project <h3>Results</h3> For FY21, preliminary data indicate that UGA EFNEP Project DINE participants (n = 64) had a graduation rate of 51.6%, whereas, UGA EFNEP participants from these communities (and who were not participating in Project DINE) (n = 159) had a graduation rate of 33.3% <h3>Conclusions</h3> Community research partnerships may positively affect UGA EFNEP graduation rates. More research is needed to explore specific relationships between graduation rates and factors such as research recruitment methods, financial incentives, and target populations. <h3>Funding</h3> EFNEP

P29 Interest and Acceptability of a Clinic Based EFNEP Intervention in English and Spanish Speaking Parents for Pediatric Obesity Prevention

<h3>Objective</h3> Obesity continues to disproportionately impact low-income, ethnically diverse youth. Existing government-funded nutrition education programs and pediatric medical clinics can collaborate to target and deliver relevant interventions. The objective was to explore interest and acceptability of community nutrition intervention collocated in medical clinics. <h3>Use of Theory</h3> Social Cognitive (SCT) and goal setting theories. <h3>Target Audience</h3> Low-income English and Spanish-speaking parents with young children. <h3>Program Description</h3> Physicians referred parents of pediatric patients to the intervention. The intervention consisted of 8-weekly, 1.5 hour nutrition, activity and food-related parenting content anchored with guided goal setting, SCT constructs, and story telling. Existing Expanded Food and Nutrition Education (EFNEP) educators delivered the intervention in medical clinics. <h3>Evaluation Methods</h3> To assess interest and acceptability, referral, enrollment, and attendance data were collected and parent focus group interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were conducted on the quantitative data and interviews were recorded, transcribed and organized for content analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Twenty intervention series were conducted in English (n = 12) and Spanish (n = 8) at 5 medical clinics by 4 EFNEP educators. More than 1/3 of the parents (37%; n=709) expressed interest in the intervention after physician referral and 74% (n = 195) enrolled in the intervention. A greater proportion of referred Spanish-speaking parents expressed interest (<i>P</i> < 0.001) and completed 4 or more intervention sessions (<i>P</i> < 0.0001) compared to English-speaking parents. A total of 26 focus group interviews (n = 65) were conducted with the 97% of the parents said they enjoyed participating in the intervention. The intervention component most commonly mentioned as useful was guided goal setting. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Results from this study indicated that parents referred to the intervention were interested and attended with greater appeal to Spanish-speaking parents. Acceptability of the intervention can be attributed to the tailoring of the content and delivery by culturally competent educators.

Innovative Partnerships

Nearly every country in the world faces a dual burden of nutrition-related diseases. Increased prevalence of these conditions is especially concerning in least developed countries. Training local health care professionals to administer medical nutrition therapy and apply behavior change counseling in hospital and community settings will reduce nutrition-related disease burden. We describe strategies used by Iowa State University and Oregon Health &amp; Science University and their partners in Ghana, Africa, and Lao People's Democratic Republic, Southeast Asia, to build professional capacity in clinical and community nutrition interventions and provide US-based dietetic interns and graduate students experience in the international nutrition sector.

Engaging Ethnic Restaurants to Improve Community Nutrition Environments: A Qualitative Study with Hispanic Caribbean Restaurants in New York City

ABSTRACT This study used interviews with New York City Hispanic Caribbean (HC) restaurant owners, managers, and cooks/chefs (n=19) to examine perceptions concerning the healthfulness of the HC diet and diet-related disparities in the HC community, and document factors potentially influencing their engagement in community nutrition interventions. The interviews revealed high awareness of diet-related issues. Respondents had mixed notions concerning their role in improving community food environments, noting important barriers for collaboration to consider in future interventions. The study underscores the important role of ethnic restaurants, providing information to facilitate engagement with this largely untapped sector in immigrant/ethnic communities in the US.

Bridging the gaps between ecology and nutrition: a middle school–university collaboration

ABSTRACTThis article examines the design and evaluation of a novel, cross-institutional, classroom-based nutrition intervention program created by a seventh grade science teacher and a university instructor. The collaborative project centered around a unique curriculum-based objective as well as an extracurricular aim for each class. Undergraduates taking the community dietetics course designed, facilitated, and evaluated a tailored, community nutrition intervention. Seventh graders explained how organisms in a biome depend on the available biotic and abiotic resources, and how matter cycles continually among organisms and the physical environment. Additionally, the collaboration aimed to synergistically enhance all students’ academic experience by nurturing dietetics students’ cultural competence as well as by encouraging seventh graders to simultaneously explore their nutrition-related attitudes and make connections among diet and food webs. Following the experience, undergraduates reported that the project positively contributed to their personal growth, civic engagement, and overall academic experience. Seventh graders’ post-project discussions revealed confusion and roadblocks adolescents face related to healthy eating. The results of this study indicate that cross-institutional collaborations provide meaningful experiences within the undergraduate dietetics curriculum and that small-group discussions focused on identifying students’ confusion and barriers can guide health educators to creating relevant and engaging programs for youth.

Mothers' groups enrich diet and culture through promoting traditional Quichua foods.

Indigenous Peoples in Latin America bear a disproportionate burden of undernutrition, yet traditional foods, including wild leafy greens, can contribute nutritional value to diets. As part of a community nutrition intervention using local foods in highland Tungurahua, Ecuador, mothers' groups promoted the consumption of wild leafy greens through community cooking clubs and recipe competitions at local fairs. The objective was to assess the social, cultural, and nutritional potential of a mothers' club intervention that promoted 2 indigenous greens (stinging nettle/Urtica dioica L. and round-leaved dock/Rumex obtusifolius L.) into children's diets. Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted with 54 mothers and 16 elders to identify perceptions of the intervention and traditional foods. Social and cultural dimensions were identified through content analysis. The nutritional contribution of the leafy greens was estimated through semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires conducted with 160 participant mothers and 98 mothers living in comparison communities who had not been exposed to the intervention. The use of local foods generated pride for mothers and elders. Nonfood uses of the nettle proved an initial barrier to acceptance; however, peer support within mothers' groups enabled increased consumption. The greens were estimated to contribute an additional 8% vitamin A, 7% iron, 12% vitamin C, and 27% folate to children's recommended dietary intakes. By promoting wild leafy greens, mothers' groups improved food security and the cultural and nutritional value of their diets. Additionally, mothers' cooking clubs increased self-efficacy and cultural identity for Quichua women, offering a highly acceptable nutrition intervention model.

Examining the impact of a school-based fruit and vegetable co-op in the Hispanic community through documentary photography

Hispanic families are at elevated risk for certain diet related illnesses including obesity and diabetes. Brighter Bites is a 16-week school-based program that delivers produce and nutrition education to high-need areas. The purpose of this study was to explore the adoption of Brighter Bites healthy eating strategies in low-income Spanish-speaking families as well as barriers to the sustainability of improved dietary behaviors using Photovoice. Two researchers worked with a predominately Hispanic, low-income public school to conduct the project. Spanish speaking parents participating in Brighter Bites were recruited and five mothers completed the study. Participants developed research questions, took documentary photos, attended group analysis sessions, and organized a community event. Photos from participants were gathered at two time points: i) during the Brighter Bites produce distributions, and ii) when the distributions were no longer in session. Participants organized resulting photos into themes during discussion groups that proceeded each photo-taking period. Themes that emerged during the produce distribution period included: cost savings, increased variety and accessibility of fresh produce, and ability to practice healthy eating. Themes that emerged when the weekly produce distributions were no longer in session included: increased costs, lack of variety, the continued effect of Brighter Bites, and innovative ways to cook with produce. Overall, participants were enthusiastic about the benefits they experienced with the program, but noted hardships in accessing nutritious food without the produce distributions in session. Innovative approaches are needed to create sustainable pathways to healthful food access after community nutrition interventions are complete.

Nutritional status, feeding practices and state of other related indicators at onset of a multi-model community nutrition intervention program in Mpigi District, Uganda.

In Uganda, malnutrition level has persistently remained high among the under-fives and this has led NGOs like World Vision, Uganda into finding innovative ways for intervention. This paper presents an assessment of nutrition status and values of related indicators at onset of a community intervention program in four sub-counties of Mpigi district in Central Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study to provide baseline information for a nutrition intervention. The study units were index children aged 6-59 months from 818 households. Face to face interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Values of key indicators were computed and compared between designated control and intervention areas. Stunting level was 32% while wasting was 3% and underweight at 10%. Most of the index children (78%) started breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Nearly a third of the households visited had a kitchen garden and this did not differ by intervention status. Like at regional level, nutrition status and feeding practices in the study area were poor. The values of these indicators did not significantly change by designated intervention status. Much effort was needed to realize a difference in nutrition and feeding practices in designated intervention areas.

Early childhood caries and malnutrition: baseline and two-year follow-up results of a community-based prevention intervention in Rural Ecuador

The global “nutrition transition” has increased children’s consumption of sugary snacks and beverages (junk food), compounding their risk for poor oral health and malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between early childhood caries (ECC) and malnutrition in a community context. This is a baseline and two-year follow-up analysis of a community-based preventive oral health and nutrition intervention for 1,575 children, from birth through age six, in an indigenous population in rural Ecuador. Trained community volunteers, preschool teachers and dentists provided children and families with nutrition and oral health education, toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish, and referral for dental treatment, three times per year. Annual data collection included mother interviews, child dental examinations and measurements of height and weight. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were completed in SPSS. At baseline, nearly half of children consumed junk food daily. ECC began in infancy, increasing steadily thereafter. Among one-year-olds, 53.8% had caries with a mean of 2.1 decayed teeth; and among six-year-olds, 98.6% had caries with a mean of 10.5 decayed teeth, and half experienced mouth pain. At two-year follow-up, reported junk food consumption was cut in half; and the prevalence and severity of caries and mouth pain were reduced. Children who entered the intervention in their first year of life experienced the greatest dental improvements. Children who entered in their first two years and attended the entire two-year intervention experienced a one-third reduction in stunting malnutrition, with greatest improvement among those whose caries increment was controlled. ECC and caries-related malnutrition were reduced for children who participated in this prevention-oriented community oral health and nutrition intervention, especially those beginning in the first two years of life. Oral health and nutrition promotion should be incorporated into all maternal-child health programs, from pregnancy and birth onward.

Stakeholder perceptions of research options to improve nutritional status in Uganda

Malnutrition is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan African countries including Uganda. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the current research options towards improving nutrition status in Uganda. We used the Multi Criteria Mapping (MCM) technique for data collection. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. The qualitative data were gathered while quantitative scores were assigned and the qualitative data were in the form of reasons given for the scores assigned by the interviewees to each option under each criterion. We interviewed 16 high level representatives of six different stakeholder groups including health professionals, food industry, government, civil society, academics and research funders. Each stakeholder appraised six types of research options including; ecological nutrition, community nutrition interventions, nutritional epidemiology, behavioural nutrition, clinical/therapeutic nutrition and molecular nutrition on how they could best address malnutrition in Uganda. The criteria used by the interviewees to appraise the research options were categorised by the research team into five types, namely: cost effectiveness, practical feasibility, impact, social acceptability and research efficacy. Data were captured using the ‘Multi Criteria Mapper’ software and analysed using the ‘MCM Analyst’ software. The most prioritised nutrition research options intended to improve nutrition status in Uganda were firstly applied community nutrition, secondly behavioural nutrition and thirdly ecological nutrition. Applied community nutrition was regarded as low cost and responsive to community problems. Behavioural nutrition was considered to be highly acceptable to communities and the country has the necessary expertise for its implementation. Ecological nutrition was considered to be in line with the countries’ development priorities in agriculture and environment. Molecular nutrition research was regarded as very costly to implement, had ethical dilemmas and was therefore the least prioritised. The research options considered most appropriate towards improving nutrition status in Uganda were community nutrition intervention and behavioural nutrition. Molecular nutrition was considered the least appropriate research option owing to costs and ethical dilemmas. Stakeholders should consider supporting community and behavioural nutrition research interventions in Uganda.

Association between household food access insecurity and nutritional status indicators among children aged

To examine the association between household food insecurity score and Z-scores of childhood nutritional status indicators. Population-based, cross-sectional survey, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011. A nationally representative sample of 11 085 households selected by a two-stage, stratified cluster sampling design to interview eligible men and women. Children (n 2591) aged 0-60 months in a sub-sample of households selected for men's interview. Prevalence of moderate and severe household food insecurity was 23·2% and 19·0%, respectively, for children aged 0-60 months. Weighted prevalence rates for stunting (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) <-2), wasting (weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) <-2) and underweight (weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) <-2) were 41·6% (95% CI 38·9, 44·3%), 11·5% (95% CI 9·8, 13·2%) and 30·1% (95% CI 27·5, 32·8%), respectively. Prevalences of stunting, severe stunting (HAZ<-3) and underweight by level of household food insecurity were statistically significant (P<0·001). By multiple linear regression analyses and after adjustment for sociodemographic, child and environmental factors, household food access insecurity score was associated with HAZ (β=-0·02, P=0·01) and WAZ (β=-0·01, P=0·01) but was not associated with WHZ and BMI-for-age Z-score. A 10-point increase in household food access insecurity score was associated with a decrease in HAZ of 0·2 (95% CI 0·05, 0·39) and decrease in WAZ of 0·1 (95% CI 0·03, 0·27). Our results from a nationally representative sample confirm the previously reported association of household food insecurity with stunting and underweight. Community nutrition interventions may use household food insecurity scales for identifying those households where children may be at risk of growth faltering.

African stakeholders' views of research options to improve nutritional status in sub-Saharan Africa.

Setting research priorities for improving nutrition in Africa is currently ad hoc and there is a need to shift the status quo in the light of slow progress in reducing malnutrition. This study explored African stakeholders' views on research priorities in the context of environmental and socio-demographic changes that will impact on nutritional status in Africa in the coming years. Using Multi-Criteria Mapping, quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from 91 stakeholders representing 6 stakeholder groups (health professionals, food Industry, government, civil society, academics and research funders) in Benin, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda. Stakeholders appraised six research options (ecological nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, community nutrition interventions, behavioural nutrition, clinical nutrition and molecular nutrition) for how well they could address malnutrition in Africa. Impact (28.3%), research efficacy (23.6%) and social acceptability (22.4%) were the criteria chosen the most to evaluate the performance of research options. Research on the effectiveness of community interventions was seen as a priority by stakeholders because they were perceived as likely to have an impact relatively quickly, were inexpensive and cost-effective, involved communities and provided direct evidence of what works. Behavioural nutrition research was also highly appraised. Many stakeholders, particularly academics and government were optimistic about the value of ecological nutrition research (the impact of environmental change on nutritional status). Research funders did not share this enthusiasm. Molecular nutrition was least preferred, considered expensive, slow to have an impact and requiring infrastructure. South Africa ranked clinical and molecular nutrition the highest of all countries. Research funders should redirect research funds in Africa towards the priorities identified by giving precedence to develop the evidence for effective community nutrition interventions. Expanding research funding in behavioural and ecological nutrition was also valued and require multi-disciplinary collaborations between nutritionists, social scientists, agricultural and climate change scientists.

Improving Dietetic Curriculum with Latino Community Nutrition Intervention

Objective: Our research objective was to improve the quality of dietetic instruction in our university by producing graduates with increased experience interacting with a Latino community in real life situations. Target audience: Latina women (n1⁄445) were recruited to participate in nutrition and cooking skills classes. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, it is critical that registered dietitians (RDs) who work with Latinos are prepared to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate nutrition care to best serve the needs of this growing segment of the population. Additionally, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) requires all dietetic students to learn recipe modification skills as a component of their curriculum. Description: Three focus groups conducted by Spanishspeaking students in the USDA Estudiante de Dietetico program provided information regarding dietary concerns, dietary patterns, and recipes used. Dietetic students in Experimental Foods Class modified 6 traditional recipes and were instructed to make the recipes ‘‘healthier.’’ Examples of modifications include decreasing sodium and fat, and increasing fiber. Students in the Service Learning Nutrition Education class will then provide 6 lessons on healthy cooking techniques to the Latina women and create a Spanish recipe booklet using the modified recipes. Evaluation: Student satisfaction surveys were submitted anonymously by participating dietetics students at the end of each intervention phase. The Dietetic students report gaining valuable additional experience since their classwork involved ‘‘real’’ people. Conclusions and Implications: Integrating an intervention into the Dietetics curriculum appears to be a win-win providing students with valuable real-life experience and allowing an intervention to occur. Funding: The California State University Agricultural Research Institute 2280.

Evaluating Mass in Motion Kids (MiM Kids): A Multi‐Sector Intervention to Reduce Childhood Obesity Using a Community‐Clinical Partnership

MiM Kids is one of three 4‐year projects funded through the CDC's Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Project to reduce obesity and improve health behaviors in children ages 2–12 years. Implemented in two low‐income communities in Massachusetts, MiM Kids uses evidence based interventions in clinics, schools, after‐school programs, child care, and the community at large. Using a combination of pre‐post time series and quasi‐experimental designs and comparing two intervention communities to one control community, the effectiveness of MiM Kids is examined in reference to individual lifestyle behaviors, change in body mass index (BMI), satisfaction with health care, and quality of life. Data collection integrates robust and efficient clinical and community data acquisition processes including school BMI data, electronic medical record extraction, parent surveys, environmental audits, document reviews, and community stakeholder interviews. In addition to the local evaluation, common measures developed in coordination with an evaluation center will be utilized across CORD sites. Community interventions hold great promise, but there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of multi‐sector interventions. MiM Kids and its evaluation advances community nutrition intervention science by filling this gap. Findings may inform local and state policy and future community interventions.Grant Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: U18DP003370–01. This work is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the CDC.

Effectiveness of ABCN Interventions on Reducing Under Two Child Malnutrition in a Selected NNP Area

This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Muradnagar Upazila, Comilla district to see the effectiveness of NNP-ABCN (Area Based Community Nutrition) interventions on reducing under-two child malnutrition (0-23 months) and establish whether there is any significant difference from the non-operational area. A total of 240 households, of which 120 were from the NNP project area with children aged between 0-23 months were randomly selected. In households with more than one child at this age category, the last child was selected. Indices of nutritional status that is weight-for-age, length-for-age and weight-for-length were computed for the measurement of nutritional status. Analysis of nutritional status data show that the prevalence of underweight (&lt;-2SD) in the project area (35.8%) was slightly lower than the non-project area (39.2%) with severe underweight being 5.0% vs. 7.5% respectively. Within the project sample, 32.5% children were stunted (&lt;-2SD) with 11.7% being severely stunted while in non-project area these figures were 33.3% and 7.5% respectively. On the other hand, 17.5% children were wasted (&lt;-2SD) with 2.5% being severely wasted in project area while in non-project area these figures were 19.2% &amp; 1.7% respectively. No significant differences in the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight (&lt;-2SD) between the project area and non-project area (WAZ, p=0.078; LAZ, p=0.214 &amp; WLZ, p=0.421) were found. The study area and sample size aren’t large enough to draw any conclusion still this is an indication that NNP-ABCN interventions may not be effective in reducing under two child malnutrition in study area. Even though NNP has been involved in providing ABCN interventions in the project area, there is still need for more targeted and income oriented nutrition interventions in the project area. Large scale operational research is thus suggested to adopt those findings for the whole NNP areas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjnut.v24i0.14040 Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 24-25 Dec 2011-2012 pp.93-106

Selecting target populations for community nutrition intervention using spatial analyses

Target populations for community‐based interventions are often selected using subjective methods, despite interest in increasing objective, quantifiable methods in public health intervention design. The purpose of this study was to determine if spatial patterns exist among the environmental influences on childhood obesity and to establish the effectiveness of spatial analyses in determining areas in need of nutritional intervention. Three environmental risk factors for childhood obesity were selected; socioeconomic status, the proximity of grocery stores with healthy options, and the walkability of the study area. Prevalence data from each influence was mapped for each census tract in Berkeley County, West Virginia using the ArcGIS program (ESRI). The resulting maps showed clustering of risk factors and by ranking each census tract by degree of prevalence it was possible to highlight a single census tract with the greatest cumulative risk for obesity in children, with respect to the selected risk factors. In conclusion, this study has found an effective, quantifiable method with which to determine the target population in highest need for nutrition intervention.Funding source: USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative