USAID Advancing Nutrition provides a summary of a study carried out in the Kyrgyz Republic between 2018-2023, with the aim to improve the nutritional status of populations that are most vulnerable to malnutrition i.e., women of reproductive age and children under five years of age. The report highlights achievements made including and not limited to training of community activists and health workers, establishment and strengthening of multi-sectoral platforms, supervision guidelines and strengthening of health reporting systems in order to effect sustainable solutions to improving the nutritional status of the population.

Attention is drawn to the relatively slow progress in intervention efforts against micronutrient deficiencies in India despite the countries existing robust policies and leadership support. This brief report highlights the strategy by Alive & Thrive to engage professional medical associations while leveraging their networks to develop working policies and procedures, enhance advocacy and build enough capacity to influence policy implementation by health providers across the country.

Pregnancy is a critical window during which the health and nutritional status of a mother has extremely great impact on a child’s future physical and mental health. There is growing evidence on the importance and effectiveness of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) in reducing risks of stillbirth, low-birth weight and small-for-gestational age. Other than use of MMS, this article also encourages interventions such as education, and introduction of complementary feeding practices among others, and provides a cost-benefit analysis of these interventions.

This study done in India assessed whether nutritional supplements given during the pregnancy period was associated with selected health indicators such as extremely low birth weight, very low birth weight, low birth weight as well as neonatal mortality with evidence-based conclusions that nutritional supplementation for pregnant women is crucial for the health of their children.

Women’s diet and nutritional status during pregnancy are important in influencing birth outcomes. This research review of Malaysia identifies several factors regarding the association between dietary intake and anthropometry on birth outcomes. There were increased cases of low birth weight where folic acid, niacin, iron, calcium and vitamin D fell short of the recommended dietary intakes, confirming that emphasis should be given on maternal health and nutrition to reduce the risk of low birth weight.

Despite numerous interventions over the years, malnutrition levels remain elevated in Kenya. Hence, Kakamega County leadership (in the western region of Kenya) and Multi-Sectoral Nutrition (MSN) stakeholders with the help of USAID Advancing Nutrition developed targets for the scale-up of nutrition interventions in the region. This policy brief by USAID strongly advocates for increased investment in nutrition interventions among others in order to address the high levels of undernutrition, including wasting and stunting in the region.

Although anaemia has been recognized as a public health problem for many years, the global prevalence of anaemia in adolescent girls remains unacceptably high. Urgent interventions to reduce the risks that anaemia poses among this critical age group are required. This technical brief by World Vision International presents recommendations to decrease adolescent girls’ anaemia, from consumption of foods rich in iron, to ending child marriages, delaying age of first pregnancy, and use of multiple micronutrient supplements. The brief identifies more strategic opportunities countries can leverage including transition from IFAS to MMS and leveraging school meals to provide adolescent girls with nutritious diets, among others, with a call to action for researchers and policy makers to contextualize and align interventions to adolescent girls’ priorities and needs.

This paper focuses on the challenges faced in the management of iron deficiency anemia, and highlights ways in which these can be addressed. The consensus report reviews clinical evidence and current practices among women in Asia, in order to develop practical guidance on diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia and incorporates recommendations with the aim to guide decision-making regarding iron deficiency management among women.

Maternal, infant, and young child nutrition programs have traditionally focused on mothers. Growing evidence suggests engaging men in nutrition programs is often associated with improved infant and young child feeding, maternal dietary practices. This paper highlights the importance of intentionally engaging men through gender transformative approaches such as establishment of education programs that promote conversations and encourage dialogue amongst partners whilst creating safe spaces for gender reflection. It encourages good practices such as encouraging men to take on caregiving responsibilities for improved nutrition outcomes at the household level.

The Sight and Life Foundation MMS Special Report 2.0 has compiled and curated the latest evidence, country experiences, and implementation tools. It aims to serve as a resource for decision-makers and implementers to drive the scale-up of MMS globally.