This Knowledge byte is about the critical role of nutrition plays in the wellbeing of mothers and children.

This presentation is on the implementation research to enhance the introduction and effectiveness of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) in four countries – Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Madagascar by UNICEF.

This presentation is on the latest evidence on maternal nutrition and multiple micronutrient supplements.

This presentation is on the country implications of including multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) in WHO’s Essential Medicines List.

Analyzing data from 11 trials from a recent Cochrane review, this study compared MMS to IFA, delivering either 30 or 60 mg of iron, in sustaining hemoglobin and preventing third-trimester anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), accounting for daily iron dose, total supplemental iron intake, and baseline prevalence of anemia. There were no differences between MMS and IFA in third-trimester hemoglobin concentration or risks of anemia or IDA by iron dose or total supplemental iron consumed. Results showed that compared to IFA, MMS results in comparable hemoglobin concentration and protection against anemia during pregnancy, independently of iron dose.

This document aims to provide UNICEF country teams and their partners with guidance to design, implement and monitor evidence-based programmes to improve the nutrition of women before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The guidance supports UNICEF’s vision for improving the diets, services and practices of women as described in the UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030. Specifically, this guidance supports the implementation of Results Area 3 on the prevention of all forms of malnutrition in women across the life course. 

This programme brief describes a set of approaches to strengthen maternal nutrition counselling. This begins with an understanding of the context, including the barriers and enablers to maternal nutrition counselling services and the adoption of optimal nutrition practices. It then outlines approaches to improve the enabling environment for maternal nutrition counselling; key considerations for the design of counselling services; strategies for strengthening service delivery platforms and building the capacity of health workers and community health workers; complementary actions to improve women’s access to dietary supplements and nutritious and affordable diets; strategies for delivering maternal nutrition counselling services in humanitarian contexts; and approaches to monitoring maternal nutrition counselling services.

In 2013, ENN published a technical background paper summarizing the evidence on maternal nutrition and identifying knowledge gaps in addressing maternal undernutrition in emergency settings. Now, ENN has written an updated paper covering women’s nutrition more broadly, including a summary of the current evidence base, international guidance, and programming being implemented in both development and humanitarian settings.

This formative research study was carried out to understand community perspectives towards maternal and child nutrition health and illness and generate demand for MMS through tailored programming and social marketing.

This formative research study was carried out to understand community perspectives towards maternal and child nutrition health and illness and generate demand for MMS through tailored programming and social marketing.